Anna Atkins Cyanotypes

Anna Atkins (1799–1871) was an English botanist, artist, and pioneer of photography. She is often considered the first person to publish a book illustrated with photographic images and one of the first women to create photographs. Her groundbreaking work combined her passion for botany and the new medium of photography, particularly through the cyanotype process.

Early life

> Birth: March 16, 1799, in Tonbridge, Kent, England.

> Family: Her mother, Hester Anne Children, died in 1800 when Anna was just a year old. Her father, John George.

> Children, was a scientist, inventor, and member of the Royal Society. He played a significant role in her education and intellectual development.

> Education: Unlike many women of her time, Anna received an excellent education, particularly in science, which was facilitated by her father’s connections and encouragement.

Scientific work

Anna was deeply interested in botany, which was a popular pursuit among Victorian women. She meticulously studied and documented plants, particularly algae and seaweeds, which became central to her later photographic work.

Published work

In 1823, she illustrated her father’s English translation of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck’s Genera of Shells. Her detailed, scientific drawings demonstrated her artistic and scientific skill, earning recognition as one of the most precise shell illustrations of the time.

Pioneering Photography

> Introduction to photography

Anna was likely introduced to photography through her father, who was friends with William Henry Fox Talbot, a photography pioneer. She was also acquainted with Sir John Herschel, the inventor of the cyanotype process.

> Cyanotype photography

Herschel’s cyanotype process, invented in 1842, was a photographic printing technique that produces cyan-blue prints. The process uses iron salts, which react to light, creating permanent images when exposed to sunlight.

Groundbreaking achievements

> First photographically illustrated book:

In October 1843, Anna published Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions. This was the first book to be illustrated with photographs. It consisted of cyanotype photograms (direct prints of objects placed on sensitized paper).

Anna’s work predated Fox Talbot’s The Pencil of Nature (1844–1846), making her a pioneer in photographic publishing.

> Other works:

Anna expanded her work into other botanical subjects, creating cyanotypes of ferns and flowering plants.

She collaborated with Anne Dixon, a friend and fellow cyanotype enthusiast, on these works.

Artistic and scientific legacy

Anna’s cyanotypes are admired for their precision and artistic beauty. Her work blurs the lines between art and science, showcasing the potential of photography as both a scientific tool and a creative medium.

> Artistic value: The cyanotypes are considered early examples of photographic art, with their vivid blue tones and intricate details.

> Scientific contribution: Her work served as a reference for the study of algae and other plants, combining scientific accuracy with visual elegance.

Later life and death

Anna married John Pelly Atkins in 1825 and lived a quiet life in Halstead Place, Kent. She continued her scientific and artistic pursuits throughout her life. She passed away on June 9, 1871, at the age of 72.

> Recognition

Despite being largely overlooked during her lifetime, Anna Atkins is now celebrated as a pioneering photographer and a remarkable figure in the history of both photography and botany.

Her cyanotypes are preserved in several prestigious collections, including:

• The British Library
• The New York Public Library
• The J. Paul Getty Museum

She is often cited as an inspiration for artists, scientists, and feminists due to her achievements in a male-dominated field.

> Interesting facts

• One of the First Female Photographers: Anna is considered one of the first women to use photography extensively.
• Handwritten Copies: Her cyanotype books were created in limited numbers and entirely handwritten, making them rare and valuable.
• Visual Impact: The vivid blue cyanotypes remain visually striking and are still studied for their beauty and scientific detail.
• Legacy in Feminism: Anna’s work is often highlighted as an example of how women in the 19th century overcame societal restrictions to contribute meaningfully to science and the arts.

Anna Atkins’ life and work stand as a testament to the power of combining curiosity, creativity, and scientific inquiry.