Chorda filum 1851 - 1855

"Chorda filum" (1851-1855) is a cyanotype by Anna Atkins, a pioneering photographer known for her botanical studies. The image depicts a delicate, seaweed-like plant, its intricate structure rendered in stark white against a deep blue background. This photo, part of her book "Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions," showcases Atkins' mastery of the cyanotype process and her meticulous documentation of the natural world. The work is housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, offering a glimpse into the early days of photography and the artistic exploration of scientific subjects.