Takken met bloesem van een rhododendron 'Alice' c. 1900 - 1930

Richard Tepe took this photograph of rhododendron blossoms sometime between 1864 and 1952. It's funny, I'm always thinking about the limitations an artist faces, even in photography. Tepe probably had to carefully consider the lighting, exposure time, and the developing process to capture the delicate details of the petals. Look closely and you can see how the light catches the edges of the petals, giving them a soft, ethereal glow. The contrast between the dark leaves and the bright blossoms creates a sense of depth and dimension, drawing you into the image. The composition is simple, yet elegant, with the flowers arranged in a way that feels both natural and intentional. I imagine Tepe, like any artist, experimenting with different angles and compositions, trying to find the perfect way to capture the beauty of these flowers, and make them stay still. And of course, like other artists, he was in conversation with other photographers and artists of his time, pushing the boundaries of what was possible with the medium.