Forsythia suspensa
1928
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1928
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This is a black-and-white photo of a single flower stem. The stem holds three buds—one unopened, one half-open, and one fully bloomed—with sharp, pointed leaves. The background is plain and dark, making the textures of the plant stand out clearly. The artist used a camera to capture tiny details, like the rough skin of the buds and the thin lines of the leaves. It looks almost like a science drawing, but it’s actually a work of art. If you like this close-up style, check out Blossfeldt, Karl.