Conferva refracta c. 1843 - 1853

"Conferva refracta" is a cyanotype photograph by Anna Atkins, a pioneering figure in the field of photography. Created between 1843 and 1853, the image showcases three delicate specimens of Conferva refracta, a type of algae, arranged against a blue background. This work is part of Atkins' seminal book, "Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions," which documented various species of algae using the cyanotype process she developed. Atkins' meticulous and scientific approach to photography, combined with her artistic eye, established her as a significant figure in the history of photography and botanical illustration.