Polysiphonia subulifera 1851 - 1855

Anna Atkins, a pioneer of photography, created this cyanotype image of *Polysiphonia subulifera* between 1851 and 1855. It's one of the many images from her book *Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions*, a groundbreaking work in the field of botanical illustration. The cyanotype process, which uses light-sensitive chemicals to create a blue print, allowed Atkins to capture intricate details of the algae, showcasing its delicate structure with exceptional clarity. This image, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a testament to Atkins' pioneering contributions to both photography and scientific documentation.