Diatoma marinum on Ceramium rubrum 1851 - 1855

Anna Atkins made "Diatoma marinum on Ceramium rubrum" using the cyanotype process, a photographic printing method that produces a cyan-blue print. This particular print comes from her series "British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions." Consider the context: Atkins was one of the few women scientists in the 19th century, a time when women were largely excluded from scientific communities. She was interested in botany. Her choice of cyanotype, a relatively new and accessible technology, allowed her to document and share her scientific observations in a way that challenged the prevailing norms of scientific illustration. The creation of this and similar images highlights the intersection of science, art, and gender. Atkins' work serves as a powerful testament to the often-overlooked contributions of women in science and art. It invites us to reflect on the social structures that have historically shaped who gets to create knowledge and art, and whose contributions are valued. It also shows that the rigid boundaries between disciplines and genders are permeable.