Explore and Make Cyanotype Photograms

Explore Cyanotype Photograms with VMFA

What is a Cyanotype like? Take a Look!

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Anna Atkins, English, 1797-1871 (Artist)
Ceylon (Fern Specimen), ca. 1850, printed 1854
From Cyanotypes of British and Foreign Flowering Plants and Ferns (Series Title)
Cyanotype photogram
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 88.117
Anna Atkins, English, 1797-1871 (Artist) Ceylon (Fern Specimen), ca. 1850, printed 1854

Cyanotype photogram Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 88.117

Anna Atkins, English, 1797-1871 (Artist) Ceylon (Fern Specimen), ca. 1850, printed 1854 From Cyanotypes of British and Foreign Flowering Plants and Ferns (Series Title) Cyanotype photogram Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 88.117

Use VMFA's Looking to Learn: I See, I Think, I Wonder strategy to document student ideas and questions about cyanotypes. 

Investigate Further!

Watch Art in Action: Part 2: Cyanotypes to learn more about: 

  • The history of cyanotypes and modern examples
  • The science of cyanotypes 
  • The artistic process of cyanotypes 

This interactive video lets you decide what you want to learn about first.  As you navigate and watch, document your thinking about cyanotypes.  Consider: 

  • What is most interesting to you? What questions do you still have? 
  • Imagine you are an artist about to make a cyanotype.  What kinds of scientific ideas do you need to remember as you proceed? 
  • What ideas that are inspiring your own cyanotype creation? What plans do you have for making your own? 
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