Griffithsia secundiflora c. 1843 - 1853

"Griffithsia secundiflora" is a cyanotype photograph by Anna Atkins, a pioneer of the photographic process. Created between 1843 and 1853, this image showcases the delicate branching structure of the Griffithsia seaweed. Atkins utilized the cyanotype process, where light-sensitive paper is exposed to sunlight, creating a blue and white image. Her work, part of her book "Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions," is a significant contribution to the history of photography and botany, highlighting the scientific potential of the medium.