Ceramium diaphanum
1843-1853
Anna Atkins created this delicate, ghostly image by placing a piece of seaweed directly onto light-sensitive paper and letting the sun do the rest. This isn't a painting, but a cyanotype—a photographic printing process that produces a beautiful Prussian blue background with white silhouettes. Published in the 1840s, this image is part of 'Photographs of British Algae,' which holds the title of the very first book ever illustrated with photographs. It's a stunning blend of science and art, capturing the intricate structure of nature before photography was even a household word.
- Technique
- Cyanotype
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