Plocamium coccineum c. 1843 - 1853

"Plocamium coccineum" is a cyanotype photograph by Anna Atkins, a pioneer of the photographic process, created between 1843 and 1853. This particular print, part of her groundbreaking book "Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions", showcases the intricate beauty of the red seaweed *Plocamium coccineum*. Atkins used the cyanotype process, a photographic technique that produces a distinctive blue background with white details, to capture the delicate structures of the algae. This print is a testament to Atkins's scientific precision and artistic vision, showcasing the beauty of the natural world through the lens of early photography.