Ptelea trifoliata
1928
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1928
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This image shows a close-up of three round, textured pods hanging from a thin stem. The pods look heavy and wrinkled, with a dark center and lighter edges. A few small branches stick out to the side, making the whole thing look like a dried plant. The artist used a black-and-white process to focus on shapes and shadows. The image feels very detailed and precise, like a science study. Next, look up technique: chiaroscuro to see how light and shadow create depth.
