Codium adhaerens
1843-1853
Anna Atkins created this striking blue image in the 1840s by placing pieces of seaweed directly onto light-sensitive paper and leaving them out in the sun. This technique, known as a cyanotype, turns the background a deep Prussian blue while the plant blocks the light, leaving behind a ghostly white silhouette. Atkins wasn't just making pretty pictures; she was pioneering a new scientific method to document marine life. In fact, she holds the title of the first person ever to publish a book illustrated entirely with photographic images, beating even the famous male photographers of her time to the punch.
- Technique
- Cyanotype
- Material
- Paper
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