Ocean Flowers

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The book explores mid-nineteenth-century natural-history imagery, focusing on botanical drawings and photograms by Anna Atkins and her Victorian contemporaries. It highlights the evolving representation of the natural world during this period, particularly with the rise of photography, which sparked a creative surge akin to the impact of digital media today. Alongside traditional handmade drawings and hand-colored prints, artists began creating photogenic drawings—early photographs that documented botanical specimens. This innovative technique, described as "drawing with light," complemented existing graphic media rather than replacing them, fostering experimentation across various forms. The concept of "fluidity" in crossing traditional media boundaries is also reflected in contemporary art. Featuring two hundred color illustrations, the book accompanies an exhibition organized by The Drawing Center in New York and the Yale Center for British Art. More than just a catalogue, it includes essays by the coeditors and contributions from artist Craigie Horsfield and scholars Edward Eigen, Elaine Scarry, and Kathryn A. Tuma, enriching the discussion around the intersection of art and nature in this transformative era.