Florilegium: Creating A Plant Compendium
ART AND DESIGN 352
Stamps School of Art and Design
Faculty member: Cathy Barry (Art and Design; University of Michigan's Biological Station)
Obi (detail), Japan, mid- to late-20th century, brocade silk. University of Michigan Museum of Art, Gift of Mrs. Kazuko Miyake, 2016/2.25
In this course, students will create a handmade book of drawings and paintings inspired by a semester-long investigation into wide-ranging topics relating to plants, art, design, and nature. In developing their compendium, students will draw inspiration from the ways artists engage with the shapes, life systems, and cultural meanings of plant life, while incorporating hands-on fieldwork, library research, and studio activity.
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Really going out and looking at plants, collecting plants, identifying plants… is key to really having any effect on climate change because we’re acknowledging nature. We really need to get people to recognize what we have.
Professor Cathy Barry
Featured Story
Walkthrough The Florilegium Portion of Curriculum / Collection With Us
A series of videos will take you on a deep dive into the works on view as part of the Florilegium course in Curriculum / Collection.
Watch Videos
Works included in this collection
Accession Number
2014/2.10
Title
Aristolochia clematitis
Artist(s)
Karl Blossfeldt
Artist Nationality
German (culture or style)
Object Creation Date
1928
Medium & Support
rotogravure on paper
Dimensions
9 5/16 in x 12 1/8 in (23.65 cm x 30.8 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Eeta Gershow
Subject matter
This photograph displays a closeup view of a shoot of birthwort. Situated against a light backdrop, the plant extends diagonally from the bottom left of the frame up through the image’s center. The birthwort’s vitality can be felt in its robust appearance. Its leaves, covered with a webbing of dark veins, are clasped together in a bud-like huddle, ready to unfurl. In order to create this photograph, Blossfeldt used a handmade camera with a bellows that spanned a full meter, which allowed him to render the micro-textures of the this tiny form in fine detail. Printed in matte, green-black tones, this image originally appeared in the books, Urformen der Kunst (1928) and Art Forms in Nature (1929), and accompanied other closeup views of botanical specimens.
Physical Description
This photograph depicts a closeup view of a plant against a light background.
Primary Object Classification
Photograph
Additional Object Classification(s)
Print
Collection Area
Photography
Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
2014/2.10
Title
Aristolochia clematitis
Artist(s)
Karl Blossfeldt
Artist Nationality
German (culture or style)
Object Creation Date
1928
Medium & Support
rotogravure on paper
Dimensions
9 5/16 in x 12 1/8 in (23.65 cm x 30.8 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Eeta Gershow
Subject matter
This photograph displays a closeup view of a shoot of birthwort. Situated against a light backdrop, the plant extends diagonally from the bottom left of the frame up through the image’s center. The birthwort’s vitality can be felt in its robust appearance. Its leaves, covered with a webbing of dark veins, are clasped together in a bud-like huddle, ready to unfurl. In order to create this photograph, Blossfeldt used a handmade camera with a bellows that spanned a full meter, which allowed him to render the micro-textures of the this tiny form in fine detail. Printed in matte, green-black tones, this image originally appeared in the books, Urformen der Kunst (1928) and Art Forms in Nature (1929), and accompanied other closeup views of botanical specimens.
Physical Description
This photograph depicts a closeup view of a plant against a light background.
Primary Object Classification
Photograph
Additional Object Classification(s)
Collection Area
Photography
Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Karl Blossfeldt
Aristolochia clematitis
rotogravure on paper
9 5/16 in x 12 1/8 in (23.65 cm x 30.8 cm)
Gift of Eeta Gershow
Aristolochia clematitis
rotogravure on paper
9 5/16 in x 12 1/8 in (23.65 cm x 30.8 cm)
Gift of Eeta Gershow
Accession Number
2014/1.591
Title
Thistle-Solar, from "The Secret Garden 100 Floral Radiographs"
Artist(s)
Albert G. Richards
Artist Nationality
American (North American)
Object Creation Date
1990-2000
Medium & Support
radiograph on paper
Dimensions
14 in x 11 in (35.56 cm x 27.94 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. Seymour and Barbara K. Adelson
Physical Description
Black background, thistle stem and flower in center, lit from behind.
Primary Object Classification
Photograph
Collection Area
Photography
Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
2014/1.591
Title
Thistle-Solar, from "The Secret Garden 100 Floral Radiographs"
Artist(s)
Albert G. Richards
Artist Nationality
American (North American)
Object Creation Date
1990-2000
Medium & Support
radiograph on paper
Dimensions
14 in x 11 in (35.56 cm x 27.94 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. Seymour and Barbara K. Adelson
Physical Description
Black background, thistle stem and flower in center, lit from behind.
Primary Object Classification
Photograph
Collection Area
Photography
Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Albert G. Richards
Thistle-Solar, from "The Secret Garden 100 Floral Radiographs"
radiograph on paper
14 in x 11 in (35.56 cm x 27.94 cm)
Gift of Dr. Seymour and Barbara K. Adelson
Thistle-Solar, from "The Secret Garden 100 Floral Radiographs"
radiograph on paper
14 in x 11 in (35.56 cm x 27.94 cm)
Gift of Dr. Seymour and Barbara K. Adelson
Accession Number
1956/1.47
Title
Flowers and Grasses
Artist(s)
Hans Fischer
Object Creation Date
1955
Medium & Support
lithograph on paper
Dimensions
18 9/16 x 10 11/16 in. (47 x 27.1 cm);28 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (71.28 x 56.04 cm);25 13/16 x 20 1/8 in. (65.5 x 51.1 cm)
Credit Line
Museum Purchase
Primary Object Classification
Print
Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary
Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
1956/1.47
Title
Flowers and Grasses
Artist(s)
Hans Fischer
Object Creation Date
1955
Medium & Support
lithograph on paper
Dimensions
18 9/16 x 10 11/16 in. (47 x 27.1 cm);28 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (71.28 x 56.04 cm);25 13/16 x 20 1/8 in. (65.5 x 51.1 cm)
Credit Line
Museum Purchase
Primary Object Classification
Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary
Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Hans Fischer
Flowers and Grasses
lithograph on paper
18 9/16 x 10 11/16 in. (47 x 27.1 cm);28 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (71.28 x 56.04 cm);25 13/16 x 20 1/8 in. (65.5 x 51.1 cm)
Museum Purchase
Flowers and Grasses
lithograph on paper
18 9/16 x 10 11/16 in. (47 x 27.1 cm);28 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (71.28 x 56.04 cm);25 13/16 x 20 1/8 in. (65.5 x 51.1 cm)
Museum Purchase
Accession Number
1940.302
Title
Weeds
Artist(s)
Warren Lombard
Artist Nationality
American (North American)
Object Creation Date
1937
Medium & Support
graphite on paper
Dimensions
12 1/16 in. x 9 9/16 in. ( 30.6 cm x 24.3 cm )
Credit Line
Gift of Prof. and Mrs. Alfred H. White
Subject matter
Lombard summered in Monhegan, Maine and developed much of his aesthetic and subject matter there. Monhegan was a well known artist colony that had existed since the mid-nineteenth century. This work dates from the latter part of Lombard's career when he primarily did studies of botanical subjects on the island. In this drawing, Lombard is just as deliberate in his depiction of weeds as he would be with a beautiful flower.
Eva Caston 2017
Physical Description
Drawing of a bouquet with weeds.
Eva Caston 2017
Primary Object Classification
Drawing
Collection Area
Western
Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
1940.302
Title
Weeds
Artist(s)
Warren Lombard
Artist Nationality
American (North American)
Object Creation Date
1937
Medium & Support
graphite on paper
Dimensions
12 1/16 in. x 9 9/16 in. ( 30.6 cm x 24.3 cm )
Credit Line
Gift of Prof. and Mrs. Alfred H. White
Subject matter
Lombard summered in Monhegan, Maine and developed much of his aesthetic and subject matter there. Monhegan was a well known artist colony that had existed since the mid-nineteenth century. This work dates from the latter part of Lombard's career when he primarily did studies of botanical subjects on the island. In this drawing, Lombard is just as deliberate in his depiction of weeds as he would be with a beautiful flower.
Eva Caston 2017
Physical Description
Drawing of a bouquet with weeds.
Eva Caston 2017
Primary Object Classification
Drawing
Collection Area
Western
Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Warren Lombard
Weeds
graphite on paper
12 1/16 in. x 9 9/16 in. ( 30.6 cm x 24.3 cm )
Gift of Prof. and Mrs. Alfred H. White
Weeds
graphite on paper
12 1/16 in. x 9 9/16 in. ( 30.6 cm x 24.3 cm )
Gift of Prof. and Mrs. Alfred H. White
Accession Number
1970/2.172
Title
Tommy's Pond
Artist(s)
Gabor Peterdi
Artist Nationality
American (North American)
Object Creation Date
1967
Medium & Support
color etching on paper
Dimensions
20 1/16 in x 14 11/16 in (50.96 cm x 37.31 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Arthur E. Gulick
Subject matter
According to the National Collection of Fine Arts' exhibition catalog Gabor Peterdi: Forty-five Years of Printmaking, Peterdi's work consistently reflects themes of man, nature, and their interrelationships. Additionally, his work his highly influenced by his travels to Mexico, South America, Hawaii, and Alaska. These themes and experiences work together to create sensitive images designed to evoke a sense of continuity and a reaffirmation of life.
Physical Description
This print is constructed of five horizontal bands of color with a semicircular shape at the top center. The bottom-most band depicts tightly clustered organic shapes with dark borders. The next band has a short, thick, curving line in the center, and a couple other dark organic lines above it. The third and middle band has some hatching and some circular shapes. The fourth band, or the second band from the top, is made up of horizontal lines, with many hatched vertical lines over top of them, reminiscent of grass. The top most band depicts a cellular-like structure, consisting of a diamond pattern. The semicircular shape at the top cuts through the top band, and juts partially into the band underneath it. The semicircle has an organic, circular line formation in the center.
Primary Object Classification
Print
Primary Object Type
intaglio print
Additional Object Classification(s)
Print
Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary
Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
1970/2.172
Title
Tommy's Pond
Artist(s)
Gabor Peterdi
Artist Nationality
American (North American)
Object Creation Date
1967
Medium & Support
color etching on paper
Dimensions
20 1/16 in x 14 11/16 in (50.96 cm x 37.31 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Arthur E. Gulick
Subject matter
According to the National Collection of Fine Arts' exhibition catalog Gabor Peterdi: Forty-five Years of Printmaking, Peterdi's work consistently reflects themes of man, nature, and their interrelationships. Additionally, his work his highly influenced by his travels to Mexico, South America, Hawaii, and Alaska. These themes and experiences work together to create sensitive images designed to evoke a sense of continuity and a reaffirmation of life.
Physical Description
This print is constructed of five horizontal bands of color with a semicircular shape at the top center. The bottom-most band depicts tightly clustered organic shapes with dark borders. The next band has a short, thick, curving line in the center, and a couple other dark organic lines above it. The third and middle band has some hatching and some circular shapes. The fourth band, or the second band from the top, is made up of horizontal lines, with many hatched vertical lines over top of them, reminiscent of grass. The top most band depicts a cellular-like structure, consisting of a diamond pattern. The semicircular shape at the top cuts through the top band, and juts partially into the band underneath it. The semicircle has an organic, circular line formation in the center.
Primary Object Classification
Primary Object Type
intaglio print
Additional Object Classification(s)
Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary
Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Gabor Peterdi
Tommy's Pond
color etching on paper
20 1/16 in x 14 11/16 in (50.96 cm x 37.31 cm)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Arthur E. Gulick
Tommy's Pond
color etching on paper
20 1/16 in x 14 11/16 in (50.96 cm x 37.31 cm)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Arthur E. Gulick
Accession Number
1988/2.11
Title
Milkweed Pods
Artist(s)
Edward R. Ferguson
Object Creation Date
1959
Medium & Support
lithograph on wove paper
Dimensions
20 1/8 x 10 1/8 in. (51 x 25.7 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase made possible by the Jean Paul Slusser Memorial Fund
Primary Object Classification
Print
Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary
Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
1988/2.11
Title
Milkweed Pods
Artist(s)
Edward R. Ferguson
Object Creation Date
1959
Medium & Support
lithograph on wove paper
Dimensions
20 1/8 x 10 1/8 in. (51 x 25.7 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase made possible by the Jean Paul Slusser Memorial Fund
Primary Object Classification
Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary
Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Edward R. Ferguson
Milkweed Pods
lithograph on wove paper
20 1/8 x 10 1/8 in. (51 x 25.7 cm)
Museum purchase made possible by the Jean Paul Slusser Memorial Fund
Milkweed Pods
lithograph on wove paper
20 1/8 x 10 1/8 in. (51 x 25.7 cm)
Museum purchase made possible by the Jean Paul Slusser Memorial Fund
Exhibition Support
Lead support for this exhibition is provided by the University of Michigan Office of the Provost, Erica Gervais Pappendick and Ted Pappendick, the Eleanor Noyes Crumpacker Endowment Fund, and P.J. and Julie Solit.