Dipsacus laciniatus, gelatin silver print

Karl Blossfeldt (1865-1932) was a German photographer and artist known for his stunning black and white photographs of plants. He studied sculpture and worked as a teacher before becoming interested in the natural world. Blossfeldt began photographing plants in the early 1900s, using a homemade camera and a magnifying lens to capture intricate details of leaves, stems and flowers. As well as being beautiful, Blossfeldt's photographs were scientifically accurate and he used them as teaching aids in his classes. His images were published in several books, including Urformen der Kunst, which became a bestseller and influenced many artists and designers of the time. Blossfeldt's work is characterised by sharp focus, strong contrast and an emphasis on form and structure. He often isolated small sections of plants and presented them as abstract compositions that resembled architectural or geometric designs. His photographs were highly influential in the development of modernist art and design, inspiring artists such as Max Ernst, Joan Miró and Marcel Duchamp. Today, Blossfeldt's work is still celebrated for its beauty, precision and artistic vision. His photographs continue to inspire artists, designers and photographers around the world.