Polysiphonia subulifera
1843-1853
Anna Atkins created this striking image by placing a piece of seaweed directly onto light-sensitive paper and exposing it to sunlight, essentially helping to invent the first book illustrated entirely with photographs. The ghostly white branches of the Polysiphonia subulifera algae float against a deep Prussian blue background, a technique known as cyanotype that was originally developed for copying architectural drawings. It's a beautiful blend of science and art, turning a humble piece of seaweed into an ethereal, lace-like silhouette that looks more like a frost-covered winter tree than a marine plant.
- Technique
- Cyanotype
Views: 9