Gigartina purpurascens – in fruit c. 1843 - 1853

Anna Atkins' "Gigartina purpurascens - in fruit" is a cyanotype, a photographic printing process that creates a blue print, from her 1843-1853 book *Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions*. This image depicts a delicate seaweed, its intricate branching structure captured in stark white against a deep blue background. Atkins was a pioneer in photographic documentation, using cyanotype to scientifically record and classify various species of algae. This work is significant for being one of the earliest examples of photo-documentation of natural specimens, showcasing the potential of photography for scientific research.