Delesseria hypoglossum c. 1843 - 1853

Anna Atkins created this cyanotype of *Delesseria hypoglossum*, using a photographic printing process that gives the print its distinctive blue hue. The composition features three specimens of seaweed against a monochrome background, evoking a sense of depth and scientific precision. Atkins, a botanist, used photography as a tool for cataloging plant specimens. By placing the algae directly onto sensitized paper and exposing it to light, she captured intricate details of its form. This process is not merely representational; it's an indexical trace, a direct imprint of the object itself. The cyanotype process flattens the three-dimensional form onto a two-dimensional surface, reducing the seaweed to its graphic essence. The stark contrast between the white algae and the blue background heightens our awareness of the plant's delicate structure, inviting us to consider the intersection of art and science. It's a composition where representation meets material reality, challenging traditional artistic expression.