Akkervederdistel 1900 - 1930

This is a photograph of a field thistle by Richard Tepe. There’s a kind of quietness to the image, despite the sharpness of the thistle, the light feels soft. I imagine the photographer patiently waiting, watching as the plant and light interact. I wonder if Tepe was interested in the thistle itself or its relationship to the surrounding environment. I’m touched by the way the sharpness fades into a blur in the background and how the contrast in the foreground makes the thorns feel like they could prick you! What do you think about the way the artist makes something usually considered a weed seem so special? It reminds me of other artists, like Van Gogh, who were fascinated by nature’s overlooked beauty. It’s a reminder to find beauty in the unexpected, and that's always a good thing.