Callithamnion Hookeri, var. 1851 - 1855

Anna Atkins' cyanotype, *Callithamnion Hookeri, var.*, is a striking example of her pioneering work in botanical photography. Created between 1851 and 1855, this photo features a detailed depiction of the seaweed Callithamnion hookeri, showcasing the delicate intricacies of the plant's structure in stark white against a vibrant blue background. Atkins utilized the cyanotype process, a photographic printing technique she helped popularize, to create these intricate botanical studies, and her work contributed significantly to the development of photography as a scientific tool.