Fucus vesiculosus / β balticus c. 1843 - 1853

Anna Atkins' cyanotype photograph, "Fucus vesiculosus / β balticus" (c. 1843-1853), showcases her pioneering work in photogenic drawing. The image depicts delicate specimens of seaweed, their intricate details rendered in white against a vibrant blue background. As a botanical illustrator, Atkins utilized the cyanotype process, a photographic technique she perfected, to create accurate and captivating representations of the natural world. This striking image, part of her groundbreaking work "Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions," helped establish her as a key figure in early photography. Atkins' contribution to science and art was recognized with a place in the history of photography as a pioneering female artist.