Polysiphonia parasitica c. 1843 - 1853

"Polysiphonia parasitica" is a cyanotype photograph by Anna Atkins, a pioneering photographer and botanist, created between 1843 and 1853. The image, part of Atkins's groundbreaking "Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions," showcases the intricate details of the Polysiphonia parasitica seaweed. Atkins's cyanotype process, using light-sensitive iron salts, captured the delicate fronds of the algae in stark white against a deep blue background. This photograph is a testament to Atkins's innovative approach to botanical illustration and her significant contribution to the development of photography as a scientific tool.