Branch of flowering magnolia, anonymous, 1910 - 1925

gelatin silver print, h 249mm × w 291mm More details

A few years ago, this photograph was a best-seller in the Rijksmuseum shop: a favourite for mourning cards. The image of the blooming magnolia branch originated in America. Several photographers active there at the beginning of the 20th century concentrated on recording plants and flowers. The maker of this X-ray photograph was undoubtedly captivated by the petals’ delicate transparency.