Bangia laminaræ 1851 - 1855

Anna Atkins, a pioneer of photography, created this cyanotype, "Bangia laminaræ", as part of her groundbreaking book "Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions". The image showcases the intricate details of the Bangia laminaræ algae, capturing its delicate structure in stark white against a vibrant blue background. Atkins's cyanotype process, a photographic technique using light-sensitive iron salts, produced these unique blue-and-white images, highlighting the beauty and diversity of the natural world. This work, dating from 1851-1855, is now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.