Karl Blossfeldt (1865-1932) was a German photographer, sculptor, and professor who became a pioneering figure in New Objectivity photography. Best known for his groundbreaking close-up photographs of plants, Blossfeldt’s work elevated botanical forms to a fine art, revealing their intricate structures and architectural beauty. His meticulous, almost scientific, approach to documenting natural forms produced stunning images that served as a profound source of inspiration for artists and designers.
His seminal book, Urformen der Kunst (Art Forms in Nature), published in 1928, remains a landmark in photographic history. The collection of over 120 detailed photographs cemented his legacy as a master of botanical photography and a key figure in establishing photography as a legitimate and powerful art form.