Karl Blossfeldt. Urformen der Kunst

The Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza and LOEWE Perfumes present a selection of 40 photographs from the album Urformen der Kunst [Original forms of art], by the German photographer and sculptor Karl Blossfeldt (1865-1932), who photographed plants and flowers throughout his life. Published in 1928, it was the work that brought Blossfeldt to public attention and gave him entry to the art scene of the day, making him one of the most important of the New Objectivity photographers.

The high quality of the paper and printing of these fascinating photographs further enhances the beauty of their powerful images, in which lighting and composition are used to emphasise the sculptural and graphic qualities of the plants. From the outset Blossfeldt’s photographs were compared to African sculptures and provided a source of inspiration for the Bauhaus industrial designers and creators.