Hobson c. 1900

Agnes Winterbottom Cooney created this cyanotype, "Hobson," using a photographic printing process that gives the print a distinctive blue tint. The cyanotype process, a relatively simple and inexpensive technique, involves coating paper with a solution of iron salts and then exposing it to ultraviolet light. The areas exposed to light turn blue, while the areas shielded from light remain white. It was often used for technical drawings, earning it the nickname "blueprint." Cooney's choice of cyanotype infuses the image with a dreamy, ethereal quality. The monochromatic blue flattens the perspective and softens the details, lending a timeless feel to the portrait. The effect is quite different from conventional photographic processes, reminding us that every choice of material and method changes how we see the world. By embracing this accessible technique, Cooney blurs the lines between scientific process and artistic expression, inviting us to reconsider the value we place on different forms of creative labor.