Ulva bullosa 1851 - 1855

Anna Atkin's "Ulva bullosa" is an early photographic work using the cyanotype process, a technique that yields a distinctive Prussian blue print. As a woman in 19th century England, Atkins navigated the male-dominated world of science by combining her interests in botany and photography, positioning herself in a unique intersection of art and scientific documentation. Atkin's choice of seaweed, “Ulva bullosa”, is not accidental, as she uses it as a means to investigate the natural world. The cyanotype process, though innovative, mirrors traditional methods of botanical illustration, yet moves towards a democratization of knowledge by making images accessible. In the 1840s, scientific illustration was crucial for categorizing and understanding the natural world, reflecting a broader cultural desire to map and control the environment. “Ulva bullosa” captures a moment in time and history, when gender roles, scientific exploration, and artistic expression converged.