Polysiphonia fucoides c. 1843 - 1853

Anna Atkins, a pioneer of photography, created this cyanotype of the seaweed *Polysiphonia fucoides*, a species of red algae. This image is part of her groundbreaking work *Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions*, a collection of cyanotype prints showcasing various seaweed species. Atkins utilized the cyanotype process, a photographic printing method that produces a blue-toned image, to capture the delicate details and intricate structure of the algae. These images are significant not only for their scientific accuracy but also for their artistic merit, demonstrating the early potential of photography as a tool for both documentation and artistic expression.