Nostoe commune 1851 - 1855

This ‘Nostoc commune’ print was made by Anna Atkins using a process called cyanotype. It's a photographic printing process that produces a cyan-blue print. Atkins, a botanist, made these images by placing specimens directly onto paper treated with light-sensitive chemicals. The paper was then exposed to sunlight, creating a silhouette of the algae. The cyanotype process, although scientific in origin, has distinct aesthetic qualities. The stark contrast between the rich Prussian blue background and the delicate white shapes of the algae creates a visually striking image. It highlights the textures and forms of the algae in exquisite detail, transforming a scientific study into something close to sculpture. Atkins' work blurs the lines between art and science, craft and documentation. It speaks to a time when the possibilities of photography were just being explored, and the medium was used to capture and classify the natural world. It challenges the traditional hierarchy that elevates fine art above scientific illustration, reminding us that beauty and knowledge can be found in unexpected places.