Polysiphonia fruticulosa c. 1843 - 1853

Anna Atkins, a pioneer in the field of photography, created this cyanotype print of *Polysiphonia fruticulosa*, a type of seaweed. The delicate, branching structure of the algae is captured in stunning detail against the blue background, showcasing Atkins's mastery of the cyanotype process. This image is part of her groundbreaking *Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions*, a collection that not only documented marine life but also advanced the use of photography as a scientific tool.