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Open 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Visit
Open today 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Admission is always free

6th and Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20565

Sculpture Garden Extended Hours

Open late until 8:00 p.m. on select nights
Starting June 3
Exhibitions & Events
Featured event:

Block Party
Join us June 6
Art & Artists
Open Call

Artists Reimagining the Collection
Meet the 50 makers selected from more than 1,600 submissions

Scabiosa columbaria

1928

Karl Blossfeldt

Associated Names

Karl Blossfeldt

Artist, German, 1865 - 1932

The image depicts a large, intricate flower head at the center with numerous small petal-like structures and spiky projections surrounding it. The color palette is predominantly monochromatic, featuring shades of black, white, and gray. The flower is positioned centrally within the frame, with its stem extending downward, occupying the middle of the image. The background is solid and dark, emphasizing the flower's detailed texture and structure.

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Artwork overview

Medium

photogravure
Credit Line

Gift of Mary and Dan Solomon and Patrons' Permanent Fund
Dimensions

image/plate: 26 × 19 cm (10 1/4 × 7 1/2 in.)
sheet: 31.2 × 24.2 cm (12 5/16 × 9 1/2 in.)
Accession Number

2006.133.34.91
Portfolio Title

Urformen der Kunst

The image shows a close-up of the top section of a vertically ribbed cactus in various shades of gray. The cactus has a columnar shape with ridges and grooves, ending in a small elevated peak. It is centrally positioned within a rectangular border, against a plain background with slight shadowing. The edges are bordered by a light-colored frame, with a numeral "1" in the bottom-right corner. — Equisetum hiemale

Karl Blossfeldt

1928

This is a photograph of a book cover. The image features a dark green book cover with the title "URFORMEN DER KUNST" printed in gold lettering prominently in the center. Below the title, there is a decorative gold emblem resembling a stylized plant or tree. The edges and corners of the book reveal signs of wear, such as fraying and slight tears. The cover is made of fabric material, which gives it a textured appearance. — Urformen der Kunst

Karl Blossfeldt

1928

The image displays three vertically oriented cone-shaped sculptures with textured and layered designs in grayscale. The material appears to have a smooth finish with ridges and grooves, possibly indicating a wood or metal medium. Each sculpture tapers towards the top and features stacked or layered sections. The sculptures are presented in a row, suggesting a sense of uniformity or thematic connection between them. — a Equisetum hiemale; b Equisetum maximum; c Equisetum hiemale

Karl Blossfeldt

1928

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Mary and Dan Solomon; purchase and gift to NGA, 2006.

Associated Names

Dan and Mary Solomon

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