Ulva lactuca 1851 - 1855

Anna Atkins made this striking image of Ulva lactuca, or sea lettuce, using cyanotype, one of the earliest photographic processes. This wasn't photography as we think of it now. Atkins coated paper with light-sensitive chemicals, placed the seaweed directly on the surface, and exposed it to sunlight. The result is a ghostly white silhouette against a deep Prussian blue ground, a direct impression of nature. This technique, while scientific in its precision, also possesses a remarkable aesthetic quality. Look closely, and you'll see every delicate undulation of the seaweed's form, captured in stark detail. Atkins's work reflects a moment when art and science were deeply intertwined. The cyanotype process allowed for mass production and distribution, democratizing image-making in ways previously unimaginable. By embracing this technology, Atkins blurred the lines between scientific documentation and artistic expression, reminding us that innovation often lies in unexpected places.