Corallina squamata c. 1843 - 1853

"Corallina squamata" is a cyanotype photograph created by Anna Atkins between 1843 and 1853. It depicts a specimen of the algae species Corallina squamata in intricate detail. The image, printed in shades of blue and white, showcases Atkins' pioneering work in photogenic drawing, a process that captured botanical subjects with remarkable clarity. Atkins, a British botanist and photographer, is recognized as one of the first individuals to use photography for scientific documentation. Her cyanotype photo albums, featuring various plant and algae species, are considered early examples of photographic art and botanical illustration.