Polysiphonia thuyoides 1851 - 1855

"Polysiphonia thuyoides" is a cyanotype photograph by Anna Atkins, created between 1851 and 1855. The image, part of a larger album of seaweed specimens, showcases the delicate, branching structure of the seaweed against a vibrant blue background. Atkins, a pioneer in photography, used the cyanotype process to capture the intricate details of natural forms. Her work is considered a key example of early photographic documentation and scientific illustration. The cyanotype process utilizes a light-sensitive iron salt solution, which results in a characteristic blue print when exposed to sunlight. This image is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.