Batrachospermum vagum c. 1843 - 1853

Here we see Anna Atkin’s “Batrachospermum vagum”, a cyanotype, a very early photographic process, made sometime in the mid-19th century. Atkins was a British botanist and photographer, and her work emerged in a period where scientific inquiry was rapidly expanding and new technologies were being developed. Atkins used cyanotypes to document various species of algae, combining her scientific interests with her artistic sensibilities. Her series "British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions" is considered the first book of photographs. In a male-dominated scientific community, Atkins carved out a unique position for herself. Her photographs were both scientific records and aesthetic objects, reflecting a blend of objectivity and personal vision. The choice of cyanotype—with its distinctive blue hue—adds a layer of emotional depth. The ethereal blue evokes the marine environment, and the ghostly impression of the algae captures a sense of both presence and ephemerality. With its simple, elegant composition, the piece encourages a quiet contemplation of the natural world.