Gelidium corneum
1843-1853
Imagine placing a piece of seaweed directly onto light-sensitive paper and letting the sun do the drawing—that's exactly what Anna Atkins did here. Though Gelidium corneum is actually a red algae, the cyanotype process renders it as a glowing white silhouette against a deep Prussian blue background. Published around 1843, this image is part of 'Photographs of British Algae,' which holds the title of the very first book ever illustrated with photographs. Atkins was a true trailblazer, blending scientific observation with artistic beauty long before photography became a mainstream medium.
- Technique
- Cyanotype
- Material
- Paper
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