Sea Flowers

Anna Atkins (1799–1871) was a botanist and photographer who came of age in Romantic era England. She is considered the first person ever to publish a book illustrated with photographic images. The work was not a typical photography book that we may think of today; rather, it was a scientific text that showcased hundreds of specimens of algae, using a unique and beautiful process called cyanotype.

The 19th century was a period of remarkable progress and innovation. In 1842 Sir John Herschel, a famous astronomer, invented cyanotype and shared his discovery with Atkins. A year later she began making her own cyanotypes in an effort to visualize and distribute information about seaweeds. The result was strikingly ethereal forms on Prussian blue backgrounds, as if captured dancing through space.

Atkins went on to create thousands of plates of different species of algae. She arranged approximately 411 plates and published them in her book Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions. The two-volume book was published in 12 parts over the course of a decade. Reproduced here is one of the plates titled “Dictyota dichotoma, in the young state; and in fruit” set atop the single-page introduction from Atkins’ book detailing a fascinating insight into her motives and methods.

Her book was the first sustained application of photography to science and is a landmark in the histories of both photography and publishing, and not least a stunning example of artistic expression and creativity. Atkins did not seek recognition for British Algae and her full name does not appear anywhere in its pages. We are honoured to commemorate Anna Atkins with this design in partnership with The New York Public Library as part of our collaborative collection.