Work Of Pure Genius. Leitz Summicron 50mm DR

Today, I went to visit the work of father and son, Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka.  They were glass makers from near Dresden, who were hired by Harvard University in the 1880s to produce a set of flowers, plants and sea creatures for study purposes and display.  The skill, patience and artistic ability of these two men is almost beyond comprehension.  What a truly humbling experience.  The collection had deteriorated to a very bad condition by the end of the 20th century due to storage in a museum heated by coal, and a total lack of climate control; coal dust deposits in winter, and mold growth during the summer humidity.  The university undertook a gargantuan project to restore the collection to pristine condition, and display the pieces under ideal conditions.  

Before the Blaschkas began their work on the flowers, they produced a variety of sea creatures. I spent about an hour with the collection.  Photography conditions are less than ideal: the light level is very low, and the items are all in glass display cases with signs imploring visitors not to lean on them.  I came armed with my macro lens, but without a tripod, it was impossible to hold still and frame optimally.  The close range of the old Summicron was the best choice, focusing manually.   The octopus had the best lighting and consequently yielded the best image, so it gets the Main.  Then there are the Extras.
Extra 1 offers a biography of the Blaschkas.
Extra 2 is the Venus Fly Trap complete with hapless fly.
Extra 3 offers a good example of the work, and the botanical detail in the leaves.
Extra 4 shows a more general view of one of the flowers.
Here's a link for those interested in more background.