Codium bursa 1851 - 1855

Anna Atkins made this cyanotype, Codium bursa, using light and photosensitive chemicals, not a lens. A specimen of algae was placed directly on treated paper, then exposed to sunlight to create a ghostly white silhouette against a deep Prussian blue ground. This process, one of the earliest forms of photography, highlights the direct relationship between the object and its representation. Atkins, a botanist by training, used this technique to document and classify plant life, reflecting a scientific approach. The vivid blue comes from the chemical reaction of iron salts, a literal transcription of light into color. This cyanotype bridges the gap between art and science. The image’s inherent qualities of texture and form provide a visual record and a creative impression. It challenges traditional art categories, elevating the act of documentation to an art form.