Leaf portraits

The Harry Ransom Center has two portraits of Gloria Swanson, done by
an admirer, each made from a large plant leaf. The image is formed
in the leaf by the removal of material between the veins leaving an
image in two values. The positive value is the intact, opaque, dried
leaf material and the negative value is the remaining,transparent,
lace-like vein structure. They are really quite amazing. Does anyone
know anything about the artistic method involved here?

Pat Ingram
Conservation Dept
HRHRC
University of Texas
Austin, TX

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                 Conservation DistList Instance 10:104
                   Distributed: Friday, May 23, 1997
                       Message Id: cdl-10-104-011
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