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The Cyanotype
The Cyanotype

In 1842, during the early days of photography, the physicist, chemist and astronomer John Frederick William Herschel invented the cyanotype, an astonishing form of photography with subtle bluish shades. The procedure is simple: a sheet of paper is coated with a solution of ammonium iron (III) citrate and potassium ferricyanide. It is then dried, exposed to a source of light with a negative and a yellowed image appears. Washed, and again dried, the yellow gives way to a deep, permanent blue; Prussian blue.
The cyanotype was relatively inexpensive and very resistant to light but did not enjoy any real success, probably because of its rather unnatural colour. The process was used in particular for copying technical drawings, but certain photographers came to appreciate its artistic possibilities. In 1843, Anna Atkins created photograms to illustrate plant specimens. Over fifty years later, it was the turn of the Pictorialists to use this technique, notably the American photographer Paul Haviland whose works captivate the viewer through their charm and gentleness, emanating from the indistinct figures, haloed by a sometimes pearly light.. More recently, this old process has been given a new lease of life amongst art and photography enthusiasts, thanks in particular to the Alternative Photography movement.
97-014581
Atkins Anna (1799-1871)
Paris, musée d'Orsay
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