Jane Ocomb and Agnes Winterbottom c. 1900

Agnes Winterbottom Cooney created this photograph, "Jane Ocomb and Agnes Winterbottom," using the cyanotype process. This early photographic technique, recognizable by its distinctive Prussian blue print, involves coating paper with light-sensitive iron salts and exposing it to ultraviolet light. The resulting image has an ethereal quality, a testament to the unique chemical process at play. Cooney's choice of the cyanotype process speaks to a particular moment in the history of photography, one of experimentation and an appreciation for the handmade. The process itself emphasizes the hand of the artist, as each print requires careful preparation and exposure. While cyanotypes were sometimes used for scientific documentation or reproduction, Cooney elevates the medium through her artistic composition. The photograph offers insight into the lives and social circles of women in the early 20th century. This approach challenges the traditional hierarchy between art and craft, inviting us to consider the cultural and social significance embedded within the artistic process itself.