Conferva crassa by Anna Atkins

Conferva crassa c. 1843 - 1853

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print, cyanotype, photography

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still-life-photography

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print

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cyanotype

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photography

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line

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naturalism

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realism

Dimensions: height 250 mm, width 200 mm

Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain

Anna Atkins made this cyanotype of Conferva crassa in England in the mid-19th century, using a process that bypassed the traditional institutions of artistic training and exhibition. Atkins was part of a generation of women who, though excluded from scientific societies, contributed to botanical knowledge through illustration. Her photograms, made by placing specimens directly on light-sensitive paper, allowed for exact replication and mass distribution of images. This was at a time when photography was still largely considered a scientific tool rather than an art form. Atkins' work challenges the hierarchy of artistic genres established by institutions like the Royal Academy, questioning what qualifies as art. To fully understand this work, one might consult not only art historical texts but also scientific publications and records of women's education and participation in scientific communities of the time. It's a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of science, art, and gender in a rapidly changing world.

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