Gigartina acicularis / a in fine fruit c. 1843 - 1853

This cyanotype print, *Gigartina acicularis / a in fine fruit*, is one of many created by Anna Atkins between 1843 and 1853. Atkins, a pioneer of photography, used the cyanotype process to document her collection of seaweed specimens. Her work, considered a significant contribution to the field of botanical illustration, features detailed, delicate images of the seaweeds, rendered in shades of white and blue against a dark blue background. This particular print showcases the intricate branching structure of *Gigartina acicularis*, a type of red algae. Atkins' cyanotypes, while scientific in nature, also possess aesthetic beauty, revealing the intricate patterns and forms found in the natural world.