Ceramium fastigiatum c. 1843 - 1853

Anna Atkins made this cyanotype print of Ceramium fastigiatum, a type of red algae, sometime in the mid-19th century. Atkins was part of a circle of early photographers in Britain, deeply engaged with both art and science. As a woman in this period, her access to institutions of science was limited, but photography offered a space where amateur enthusiasts could still make significant contributions. Cyanotypes, with their distinctive Prussian blue hue, were an inexpensive way to reproduce images and text. Atkins used the process to create an illustrated encyclopedia of British algae. By combining scientific accuracy with the aesthetic appeal of photography, she challenged the boundaries between art, science, and publishing. Understanding Atkins's work requires us to consult not only art historical sources but also scientific literature and social histories of women in science. Only then can we appreciate how this beautiful image also represents a moment of social and institutional change.