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Scolopendrium Vulgare
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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 making accurate drawings by placing plants directly on light-sensitive paper and exposing them to light. With these cameraless photographs, later called photograms, she was able to carefully record the basic elements of a plant's line, shape, and texture. This example illustrates a specimen of <em>Scolopendrium Vulgare</em>, also known as Hart's-Tongue fern.
| Artist / Maker | Anna Atkins |
|---|---|
| Date | 1852–54 |
| Culture / Origin | England, 19th century |
| Medium | cyanotype |
| Dimensions | Image: 33.3 x 22.9 cm (13 1/8 x 9 in.); Paper: 48.3 x 37.5 cm (19 x 14 3/4 in.); Matted: 61 x 50.8 cm (24 x 20 in.) |
| Department | Photography |
| Type | Photograph |
About the Artist
Anna Atkins British, 1799-1871 Anna Atkins was the daughter of John George Children, a respected scientist associated with the British Museum and secretary of the Royal Society, who introduced her to science and its small, tightly knit community in Britain. Taking advantage of her father's position as a member of the society's Committee on Papers, Atkins was among the first to hear directly of Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre's announcement of photography, as well as that of William Henry Fox Talbot, who disclosed… Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
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