Conferva polita c. 1843 - 1853

"Conferva polita" is a cyanotype photograph by Anna Atkins, a pioneer of photography, created between 1843 and 1853. The image, rendered in shades of blue, showcases the delicate structure of a Conferva polita algae specimen. Atkins's work is a notable example of photogenic drawing, a process using light-sensitive chemicals to create images, which she employed to document various species of algae and seaweed. This piece, like many in her "Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions," serves as a testament to her contributions to both scientific documentation and the early development of photographic techniques.