Callithamnion Borreri

Anna Atkins

1843-1853

Callithamnion Borreri by Anna Atkins, 1843-1853

Anna Atkins created this striking image by placing a piece of seaweed directly onto light-sensitive paper and letting the sun do the rest. The result is a delicate, ghostly white silhouette of Callithamnion Borreri floating in a sea of deep Prussian blue. Created in the 1840s, this cyanotype isn't just beautiful; it's a piece of history, as Atkins is widely considered the first person to publish a book illustrated entirely with photographic images. She essentially invented the modern scientific field guide, blending art and botany in a way that still looks incredibly fresh today.

Technique
Cyanotype
Views: 12

Related Artworks