Gelidium corneum / var. pinnatum c. 1843 - 1853

This cyanotype, created by Anna Atkins between 1843 and 1853, depicts a specimen of *Gelidium corneum*, a type of red algae. Atkins, a pioneer of photography, was fascinated by the natural world and used the cyanotype process to document plants and algae. Her work is a testament to the beauty and detail of the natural world. Her intricate images, like this one, showcase the delicate beauty of the algae, highlighting its branching structure and intricate details. This cyanotype, with its striking blue background and white seaweed, is a prime example of Atkins' groundbreaking work in photo-botanical illustration.