Conferva dissiliens c. 1843 - 1853

"Conferva dissiliens" is a cyanotype photograph from Anna Atkins's groundbreaking book "Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions", produced between 1843 and 1853. This striking image showcases the delicate detail of the Conferva dissiliens algae, captured in crisp white against a deep blue background. Atkins was a pioneer in the use of the cyanotype process, a photographic technique that utilizes light-sensitive iron salts to create an image. The resulting prints exhibit a unique and elegant blue-green color, giving them a distinctive artistic character. Atkins's work not only documented scientific specimens but also contributed to the development of photography as an art form.