Urformen der Kunst (Prototypes of Art) by Karl Blossfeldt

Urformen der Kunst (Prototypes of Art) by Karl Blossfeldt

Second Edition, 1929

This is a very rare second edition of the Karl Blossfeldt’s classic photobook “Urformen der Kunst” published by Verlag Ernst Wasmuth A.G., Berlin in 1929. The first edition was published a year earlier in a limited edition of 6,000. Parr & Badger in their book, “The Photobook: A History”, provide probably the best summary: “"[This] is one of the most striking books in photographic history, as well as one of the most popular. It was a key model for the 'typologies' school of contemporary German photography, but Blossfeldt's photobook masterpiece was not a Conceptual work of art. It was, like so much German photography of this period, pedagogical in nature, as much founded on the Arts-and-Crafts ethos as Bauhaus principles. Beginning in 1900, Blossfeldt--a rare combination of craftsman and art historian--made thousands of photographic enlargements of plant leaves, stems and seed pods in order to reveal the link between the structure of plants and artistic form. This is one of the few modern photobooks to be bought by art dealers with the intention of breaking it up and selling the individual plates to be framed and hung on a wall.” Unlike the English second edition that had the images printed on both sides, the German second edition was printed with the back page of each image left blank. Very few of these remain fully intact due to the desirability of the plates as frameable art.

Containing 120 stunning black and white photogravures and measuring approximately 12.5” x 10”, the book is bound in green cloth covered boards with gilt titling stamped on the cover and spine without the scarce dust jacket. The book is in Near Fine+ condition with some very minor soiling and sunning to the boards as well as some foxing to the endpapers that is usual for this title. The front endpapers are tender but still fully attached. The gravure plates are in FINE condition.  Overall, this is a highly collectible copy of one of the most influential photobooks ever published that is rarely found intact and in such wonderful condition.

Cited in all three reference works on photobooks:  “The Book of 101 Books: Seminal Photographic Books of the Twentieth Century” by Andrew Roth and “The Photobook: A History”, by Parr and Badger, and “The Open Book” by Andrew Roth.

Photographs of the book and photographs contained in the book appear below. Please note that although the photographs appear digitized as thumbnails, they are viewable in the photo viewer by running your mouse over the thumbnail. You can also click on the thumbnail to open a separate window where the picture is viewable.