Artwork

Blühende Spireen (Blooming Spiraea)

Blühende Spireen (Blooming Spiraea), by Wilhelm Heise, ink, 1925
Blühende Spireen (Blooming Spiraea), by Wilhelm Heise, ink, 1925

Blühende Spireen (Blooming Spiraea) is an ink print by Wilhelm Heise. It dates from 1925 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription
Inscribed:lower left in graphite: Blühende Spireen; lower right in graphite: Wilhelm Heise

About this work

Overview

Blühende Spireen (Blooming Spiraea) is a lithograph by Wilhelm Heise, dating to approximately 1925, executed in black on japan paper.

Subject & Meaning

The print juxtaposes two faint, almost imperceptible human figures in a corner against a dominant, meticulously detailed arrangement of flora, including ferns, grasses, and flowers, all rendered in stark black and white.

Technique & Style

Heise leveraged lithography's capabilities to achieve sharp, high-contrast visuals, emphasizing meticulous detail in every leaf and stem, which stand in pronounced relief against the dark background.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1925, specific historical context or ownership history of the piece is not provided in available information.

Context

Understanding the lithographic process (involving drawing on stone with grease-based materials, then transferring the image to paper through printing) provides insight into the technical achievement of the work's detailed, high-contrast design.

Legacy

The piece's impact or influence on subsequent artistic movements or Heise's broader oeuvre is not detailed in the provided sources.

A Thicket; a Gnarled Willow Tree at Left, a Thicket of Vegetation at Right
A Thicket; a Gnarled Willow Tree at Left, a Thicket of Vegetation at Right, Carl Wilhelm Kolbe

Artist & collection

Artist

Wilhelm Heise

Wilhelm Heise (1920–1930) was an artist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Blühende Spireen (Blooming Spiraea)?

Blühende Spireen (Blooming Spiraea) was painted by Wilhelm Heise in 1925.

Where can I see Blühende Spireen (Blooming Spiraea)?

Blühende Spireen (Blooming Spiraea) is held by National Gallery of Art.

Can I buy a print of Blühende Spireen (Blooming Spiraea)?

Museum-quality prints of Blühende Spireen (Blooming Spiraea) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.