Chondrus crispus var.
1843-1853
Anna Atkins created this striking image by placing a piece of seaweed directly onto light-sensitive paper and leaving it in the sun, creating a ghostly white silhouette against a deep Prussian blue background. This is a page from her 1843 book 'Photographs of British Algae,' which holds the title of the very first book ever illustrated with photographs! She used a technique called cyanotype—the same process used for old-school blueprints—to scientifically document marine life. It's amazing to think that this delicate, lace-like pattern was actually made by a Victorian botanist playing with chemistry and sunlight.
- Technique
- Cyanotype
- Material
- Paper
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