Studies of the leaves, blossoms, fruits and trunk of a whitebeam (Sorbus subgenus Aria) 1788

Ludwig Pfleger’s rendering of a whitebeam, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, presents an almost scientific study of its botanical form through watercolor and graphite. The drawing is divided into distinct zones. Above, we observe the delicate rendering of leaves, blossoms, and fruits, capturing the plant's ephemeral beauty with precision. Below, two cross-sections of the tree trunk anchor the composition with their geometric solidity and materiality. The interplay of textures in the work creates a fascinating dynamic. Pfleger juxtaposes the smooth surfaces of the cut wood with the organic patterns of the bark. This dialectic speaks to a broader tension between nature and artifice, challenging our understanding of the boundary between representation and reality. The drawing offers more than just a visual depiction. It invites us to engage with the plant's essence and understand its place within the larger discourse of natural history and artistic representation.