Griffithsia secundiflora c. 1843 - 1853

Anna Atkins made this cyanotype of Griffithsia secundiflora using a photographic printing process that produces a cyan-blue print. The stark contrast between the detailed white algae and the monochromatic blue background draws our eyes to the delicate structure of the plants. Atkins, a botanist herself, captured these algae specimens with a scientific precision, yet the arrangement of the plants invites us to look beyond their botanical identities. The top Griffithsia extends diagonally, in contrast to the vertical orientation of the one below. These semiotic relationships and the subtle variations in line and form, create a sense of rhythm, almost musical in its arrangement, reflecting a formal understanding of composition and visual balance. The cyanotype process itself, a fusion of science and art, reveals how Atkins destabilized established categories. Ultimately, the cool, monochromatic palette and the interplay of positive and negative space not only serve scientific documentation, but also invite aesthetic appreciation. It’s a reminder that art’s meaning is always evolving, shaped by interpretation across time.