Anna Atkins (16 March 1799 – 9 June 1871) was, some sources claim, the world's first female photographer and the first person ever to publish a photographically illustrated book.
Her mother died from the effects of childbirth and Anna grew up close to her father, A a respected scientist, he was secretary of the Royal Society and was associated with the British Museum. She received an unusual education for a woman of her time, and took up what she called "Sir John Herschel's beautiful process of cyanotype" as soon as it was invented in 1842.
Cyanotype is commonly called "sun-printing". The object being captured is laid on paper impregnated with ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide. When exposed to sunlight and then washed in plain water the uncovered areas of the paper turn a rich deep blue. The process was otherwise used mainly to reproduce architectural and engineering drawings (i.e. blueprints).
Atkins self-published British Algae (1843) with a limited number of copies, and with handwritten text. Today, copies are held at the British Library, the MET, the New York Public Library and the Royal Society.
Though beautiful and artfully arranged, Atkins' focus with botanical cyanotypes was scientific rather than aesthetic. However, she went on to collaborate with her childhood friend, Anne Dixon, creating more whimsical photograms of ferns, flowers, feathers and lace.
Links:
The British Library
The New York Public Library
Book: Sun Gardens: Victorian Photograms by Anna Atkins by Larry Schaaf and Hans Kraus Jr.
Images via Wikipedia
I love this series! Her work is fascinating. I ran an image search as you mentioned, and you are so right—incredibly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAh I'm glad somebody tried it. I love that search so much! Glad you enjoy the series, Lisa! xx
DeleteVery interesting. I love the fact that her pursuit was scientific, yet produced such beautiful images.
ReplyDeleteYes me too! There's definitely an intersection here. I don't think she would have been indifferent to making her arrangements pleasing to the eye too.
DeleteVery interesting. I love the fact that her pursuit was scientific, yet produced such beautiful images.
ReplyDeleteYes! I think there's definitely an intersection here. I find it difficult to imagine she would have been indifferent to her arrangements being pleasing to the eye.
DeleteJane, these are so beautiful-- the ferns so ghostly against the rich, ferrous blue. Thank you so much for sharing them with us today.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI just love your inspiring women series - more please!
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteI believe the National Gallery in Ottawa holds some of her works. This past summer I saw an exhibition there - Flora and Fauna 400 years of Artists Inspired by Nature- and I'm positive that her prints were part of that exhibition.
ReplyDeleteNice!
DeleteThis was fascinating to read. Although, as you said, her work wasn't made with aesthetics in mind, I sort of feel it illustrates how beautiful science actually is - and how the distinction between 'science' and 'art' is often artificial. When I was studying nineteenth-century literature at uni, I remember reading this article on how we owe the Victorians our current separate categories of 'science' and 'art'. I find it ironic that a period of such innovation and growth in so many areas was also the period that saw them strictly demarcated into separate categories that should perhaps sometimes blend together. I certainly think Anna Atkins' work shows how they blend together and aren't separate entities. This is both art and science to me.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, science can be incredibly beautiful and there's definitely an intersection here.
DeleteI remember getting a "sun printing" kit as a kid. My Mom showed me that I could fern fronds and other things from the garden. It was great fun until I accidentally exposed all of the paper to light. Makes me want to track down a cyanotype kit for my kids (and one for me). ;)
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun!!
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