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Anna Atkins (1799–1871)

English botanist and photographer.Created by: PICRYL - Public Domain Media Search EngineDated: 1799
Anna Atkins is best known for her pioneering work in photography, particularly in the use of cyanotype printing. She was born in 1799 in Kent, England, into a family of scientists and artists. Her father, John George Children, was a chemist and mineralogist, while her mother, Hester Anne Children, was a talented artist.

Atkins was educated at home by her mother and was exposed to scientific ideas from an early age. She developed a keen interest in botany and began collecting and pressing plant specimens. In the 1820s she became interested in photography, which was then a new and experimental field.

Atkins began experimenting with cyanotype printing, a process that uses a light-sensitive chemical to produce blue and white prints. She used this technique to create a series of photograms, or camera-less photographs, of plant specimens. These images were some of the earliest examples of photographic art and are now considered important works of botanical illustration.

Atkins published her work in a book entitled 'Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions" in 1843. This book is considered the first book to be illustrated with photographic images and is a landmark in the history of photography.

Atkins continued to experiment with photography throughout her life, producing images of ferns, feathers and other natural specimens. She also corresponded with other photographers and scientists, sharing her knowledge and techniques.

Anna Atkins died in 1871, but her legacy lives on as one of the pioneers of photography and botanical illustration. Her work has inspired generations of photographers and artists and is still studied and appreciated today.
608 Media in collectionpage 1 of 7
Gigartina acicularis / a in fine fruit

Gigartina acicularis / a in fine fruit

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Chylocladia ovalis. - Early photography, Public domain image

Chylocladia ovalis. - Early photography, Public domain image

Picryl description: Public domain image of a flower, blooming, botanical illustration, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Fucus vesiculosus & balticus. - Early photography, Public domain image

Fucus vesiculosus & balticus. - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain reproduction of artwork in Getty Museum, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Polysiphonia fruticulosa - Cyanotype, Botanical, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Polysiphonia fruticulosa - Cyanotype, Botanical, Metropolitan Museum o...

Public domain reproduction of illuminated book page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Chorda filum - Cyanotype, Botanical, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Chorda filum - Cyanotype, Botanical, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Public domain reproduction of portrait print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Cystoseira barbata - Cyanotype, Botanical, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Cystoseira barbata - Cyanotype, Botanical, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Public domain reproduction of illuminated book page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Ceylon - Early photography, Public domain image

Ceylon - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain reproduction of artwork in Getty Museum, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Anna Atkins - Asplenium Braziliense, S. America - Google Art Project
Anna Atkins Cystoseira granulata

Anna Atkins Cystoseira granulata

Cystoseira granulata. Cyanotype photogram.

Lyngbya majuscula - Public domain  drawing

Lyngbya majuscula - Public domain drawing

Public domain image of print or drawing, symbolism or allegory, depicting saint, winged creature, Icarus, flying angel, religious figure, flight, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description

Ulva Linza - Early photography, Public domain image

Ulva Linza - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain scan of artwork from NYPL collection, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Batrachospermum alpestre - Public domain dedication image

Batrachospermum alpestre - Public domain dedication image

Public domain scan of artwork from NYPL collection, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Codium tomentosum - Cyanotype, Botanical

Codium tomentosum - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Ceramium strictum - Cyanotype, Botanical

Ceramium strictum - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Dictyosiphon foeniculacea [= Dictyosiphon foeniculaceus]

Dictyosiphon foeniculacea [= Dictyosiphon foeniculaceus]

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Chondrus crispus. var. - Cyanotype, Botanical

Chondrus crispus. var. - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Gelidium rostratum - Cyanotype, Botanical

Gelidium rostratum - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Calithamnion roseum [= Callithamnion roseum]

Calithamnion roseum [= Callithamnion roseum]

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Dasya coccinea - Cyanotype, Botanical

Dasya coccinea - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Bulbochaete setigera - Cyanotype, Botanical

Bulbochaete setigera - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain photograph of the Moon, telescope photography, astronomy, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Polysiphonia byssoides - Cyanotype, Botanical

Polysiphonia byssoides - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain photograph of decorated book cover, binding, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Kalymenia dubyi - Cyanotype, Botanical

Kalymenia dubyi - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Grateloupia filicina - Cyanotype, Botanical, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Grateloupia filicina - Cyanotype, Botanical, Metropolitan Museum of Ar...

Public domain reproduction of artwork in Metropolitan Museum of Art, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Schizonema ramosissimium - Cyanotype, Botanical, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Schizonema ramosissimium - Cyanotype, Botanical, Metropolitan Museum o...

Public domain reproduction of illuminated book page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Lastrea spinulosa - Early photography, Public domain image

Lastrea spinulosa - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain reproduction of artwork in Getty Museum, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Trichomones crinitum, Jamaica - Early photography, Public domain image

Trichomones crinitum, Jamaica - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain reproduction of artwork in Getty Museum, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Osmunda regalis, British - Early photography, Public domain image

Osmunda regalis, British - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain reproduction of artwork in Getty Museum, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Fotogram van een Wolfsklauw (sporenplant, Lycopodium Ceylon)

Fotogram van een Wolfsklauw (sporenplant, Lycopodium Ceylon)

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Anna Atkins - Scolopendrium Vulgare - 1995.26 - Cleveland Museum of Art

Anna Atkins - Scolopendrium Vulgare - 1995.26 - Cleveland Museum of Ar...

In 1843, Anna Atkins produced the first book illustrated with photographs. The book was the earliest use of photography in a scientific publication. An amateur botanist, Atkins overcame the difficulties of ma... More

Fucus aruginosus? Turner. "Red Sea, Lisbon." New to Britain

Fucus aruginosus? Turner. "Red Sea, Lisbon." New to Britain

Public domain scan of artwork from NYPL collection, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Ectocarpus amphibius - Early photography, Public domain image

Ectocarpus amphibius - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain scan of artwork from NYPL collection, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Gloiosiphonia capillaris - Early photography, Public domain image

Gloiosiphonia capillaris - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain scan of artwork from NYPL collection, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Nitophyllum versicolor - Early photography, Public domain image

Nitophyllum versicolor - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain scan of artwork from NYPL collection, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Dichloria viridis - Cyanotype, Botanical

Dichloria viridis - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Corallina elongata - Cyanotype, Botanical

Corallina elongata - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Ulva bullosa - Cyanotype, Botanical

Ulva bullosa - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Corallina officinalis - Cyanotype, Botanical

Corallina officinalis - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Conferva melagonium - Cyanotype, Botanical

Conferva melagonium - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Laurencia pinnatifida - Cyanotype, Botanical

Laurencia pinnatifida - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Trentepohlia pulchella / Trentepohlia pulchella. var. β

Trentepohlia pulchella / Trentepohlia pulchella. var. β

Public domain reproduction of illuminated book page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Schizonema Wyattiæ - Cyanotype, Botanical

Schizonema Wyattiæ - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Laurencia pinnatifida. - Early photography, Public domain image

Laurencia pinnatifida. - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain reproduction of artwork in Getty Museum, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Sphacelaria filicina - Cyanotype, Botanical, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Sphacelaria filicina - Cyanotype, Botanical, Metropolitan Museum of Ar...

Public domain reproduction of illuminated book page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Schizonema Smithii, ß torqata - Early photography, Public domain image

Schizonema Smithii, ß torqata - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain reproduction of illuminated book page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Part III Contents - Cyanotype, Botanical

Part III Contents - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain reproduction of artwork in Metropolitan Museum of Art, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Ophioglossum vulgatum - Early photography, Public domain image

Ophioglossum vulgatum - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain reproduction of artwork in Getty Museum, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Polypodium pinnatum, Jamaica - Early photography, Public domain image

Polypodium pinnatum, Jamaica - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain reproduction of artwork in Getty Museum, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Zygnema curvatum - Early photography, Public domain image

Zygnema curvatum - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain scan of artwork from NYPL collection, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Ferns. Specimen of Cyanotype - Public domain dedication, National Gallery of Art

Ferns. Specimen of Cyanotype - Public domain dedication, National Gall...

Public domain photograph of artwork in the National Gallery of Art, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Schizonema implicatum - Cyanotype, Botanical

Schizonema implicatum - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Ptilota plumosa - Cyanotype, Botanical

Ptilota plumosa - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Ceramium decurrens - Cyanotype, Botanical

Ceramium decurrens - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Zygnema nitidum - Cyanotype, Botanical

Zygnema nitidum - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain reproduction of illuminated book page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Conferva gracilis - Cyanotype, Botanical

Conferva gracilis - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Delesseria hypoglossum - Cyanotype, Botanical

Delesseria hypoglossum - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Polysiphonia pulvinata - Cyanotype, Botanical

Polysiphonia pulvinata - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Callithamnion turneri - Cyanotype, Botanical

Callithamnion turneri - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Conferva capillaris - Cyanotype, Botanical

Conferva capillaris - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Conferva diffusa - Cyanotype, Botanical

Conferva diffusa - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Polysiphonia Brodiæi [= Polysiphonia brodiei]

Polysiphonia Brodiæi [= Polysiphonia brodiei]

Public domain reproduction of illuminated book page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Sphacelaria scoparia - Cyanotype, Botanical, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Sphacelaria scoparia - Cyanotype, Botanical, Metropolitan Museum of Ar...

Public domain reproduction of illuminated book page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Part X - Cyanotype, Botanical - Early photography, Public domain image

Part X - Cyanotype, Botanical - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain reproduction of artwork in Metropolitan Museum of Art, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Ceramium rubrum - Cyanotype, Botanical, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Ceramium rubrum - Cyanotype, Botanical, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Public domain reproduction of artwork in Metropolitan Museum of Art, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Hymenophyllum decurrens, Jamaica, J. Paul Getty Museum

Hymenophyllum decurrens, Jamaica, J. Paul Getty Museum

Public domain reproduction of artwork in Getty Museum, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Ceylon - Early photography, Public domain image

Ceylon - Early photography, Public domain image

Picryl description: Public domain image of a plant, botany, botanical illustration, botany, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Pteris rotundifolia - Early photography, Public domain image

Pteris rotundifolia - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain reproduction of artwork in Getty Museum, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Ceylon/Fern - Early photography, Public domain image

Ceylon/Fern - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain reproduction of artwork in Getty Museum, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Anna Atkins, Ferns. Specimen of Cyanotype, 1840s, NGA 136477
Enteromorpha compressa β prolifera

Enteromorpha compressa β prolifera

Public domain scan of artwork from NYPL collection, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Enteromorpha clathrata - Early photography, Public domain image

Enteromorpha clathrata - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain scan of artwork from NYPL collection, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Ceramium rubrum, var. - Early photography, Public domain image

Ceramium rubrum, var. - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain scan of artwork from NYPL collection, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Calothrix distorta - Cyanotype, Botanical

Calothrix distorta - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Callithamnion Arbuscular [= Callithamnion arbuscular]

Callithamnion Arbuscular [= Callithamnion arbuscular]

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Conferva glomerata - Cyanotype, Botanical

Conferva glomerata - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Ceramium botryocarpum / upper spec[ime]n young

Ceramium botryocarpum / upper spec[ime]n young

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Exillaria crystallinum / parasitic [= Exilaria crystallinum]

Exillaria crystallinum / parasitic [= Exilaria crystallinum]

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Ulva latissima - Cyanotype, Botanical

Ulva latissima - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain reproduction of illuminated book page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Callithamnion corymbosum - Cyanotype, Botanical

Callithamnion corymbosum - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Conferva zonata - Cyanotype, Botanical

Conferva zonata - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Odonthalia dentata - Cyanotype, Botanical

Odonthalia dentata - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Polysiphonia nigrescens - Cyanotype, Botanical

Polysiphonia nigrescens - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain reproduction of illuminated book page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Rhodomela pinastroides - Cyanotype, Botanical

Rhodomela pinastroides - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Ceramium diaphanum - Cyanotype, Botanical, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Ceramium diaphanum - Cyanotype, Botanical, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Public domain reproduction of artwork in Metropolitan Museum of Art, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Achnanthes longipes. (parasitic.) - Cyanotype, Botanical

Achnanthes longipes. (parasitic.) - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain reproduction of illuminated book page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Athyrium filix femina - Early photography, Public domain image

Athyrium filix femina - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain reproduction of artwork in Getty Museum, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Pteris caudata, N. America - Early photography, Public domain image

Pteris caudata, N. America - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain reproduction of artwork in Getty Museum, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Foreign Ferns. - Early photography, Public domain image

Foreign Ferns. - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain reproduction of artwork in Getty Museum, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Adiantum assimile - Early photography, Public domain image

Adiantum assimile - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain reproduction of artwork in Getty Museum, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Anna Atkins - Pteris aquilina - Google Art Project
Anna Atkins 1861 - Public domain portrait print

Anna Atkins 1861 - Public domain portrait print

Portrait of Anna Atkins, albumen print, 1861 Public domain photograph of 19th-century female portrait, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Ulva latissima - Early photography, Public domain image

Ulva latissima - Early photography, Public domain image

Public domain scan of artwork from NYPL collection, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Conferva Linum - Cyanotype, Botanical

Conferva Linum - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Zygnema deciminum - Cyanotype, Botanical

Zygnema deciminum - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Callithamnion hookeri var. - Cyanotype, Botanical

Callithamnion hookeri var. - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Griffithsia corallina - Cyanotype, Botanical

Griffithsia corallina - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain reproduction of illuminated book page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Grateloupia filicina - Cyanotype, Botanical

Grateloupia filicina - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Ceramium ciliatum β acanthonatum

Ceramium ciliatum β acanthonatum

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Chylocladia ovalis - Cyanotype, Botanical

Chylocladia ovalis - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Enteromorpha intestinalis - Cyanotype, Botanical

Enteromorpha intestinalis - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain scan of artwork in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Grateloupia filicina - Cyanotype, Botanical

Grateloupia filicina - Cyanotype, Botanical

Public domain reproduction of illuminated book page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

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