Conferva fracta c. 1843 - 1853

Anna Atkins made this cyanotype of Conferva fracta, a type of algae, using a process that combined science and art. Atkins, a botanist, made this photogram by placing the algae directly onto paper treated with iron salts, then exposing it to sunlight. This created a negative image in a distinctive Prussian blue. It's a cameraless process, and one that renders every detail of the specimen with uncanny fidelity. What's fascinating is the directness of this method. It collapses the distance between observation, documentation, and artistic expression. Each print is unique, a direct record of nature's own design. By using photography, then a relatively new technology, Atkins was at the intersection of art, science and industry, creating a visual language that remains compelling today. The beauty of Atkins' work lies not just in its aesthetic appeal, but in its innovative approach, blurring the lines between art, scientific documentation, and technological experimentation.