Scolopendrium Vulgare

Creator Name

Anna Atkins (British, 1799–1871)

Cultural Context

England, 19th century

Date

1852–54

About the work

Cleveland Museum of Art Object Description

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 Scolopendrium Vulgare, also known as Hart's-Tongue fern.

Work details

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Title

Scolopendrium Vulgare

Creator

Anna Atkins (British, 1799–1871), artist

Worktype

Photograph

Cultural Context

England, 19th century

Material

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.)

Technique

--

Language

--

Date

1852–54

Provenance

Anne Dixon; Norman O. Stone and Ella A. Stone Memorial Fund

Style Period

--

Rights

Curationist Logo
CC0
CC0

Inscription

Written in negative: "Scolopendrium Vulgare"; in pencil on verso: "87"; "1.8"; "1258.4"; MC"

Location

--

Subject

--

Topic

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All Works in Curationist’s archives can be reproduced and used freely. How to attribute this Work:

Anna Atkins (British, 1799–1871), Scolopendrium Vulgare, 1852–54, Cleveland Museum of Art. CC0.

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