Equisetum hiemale
1928
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1928
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This is a close-up of a tall, dry plant stem. Its surface is covered in deep grooves running from top to bottom, giving it a ribbed, almost scaly look. The top is split into sharp, jagged points, like a crown of thorns. The artist used shading to make the texture pop—dark lines highlight each groove, making the plant look almost three-dimensional. It’s just a plant, but the way it’s lit and framed turns it into something striking. Next, look up Blossfeldt, Karl to see more of his plant photography.
