Polysiphonia violacea c. 1843 - 1853

"Polysiphonia violacea" is a cyanotype photograph by Anna Atkins, a pioneering British photographer, taken between 1843 and 1853. This image, featuring a delicate seaweed, is from her groundbreaking book "Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions". Atkins utilized the cyanotype process, a photographic technique that produces a blue print, to capture the intricate details of various algae species. This work is significant for its contribution to both botanical illustration and the development of photography. Atkins's cyanotypes revolutionized scientific documentation, showcasing the beauty and complexity of the natural world with remarkable clarity.