Lichina pygmæa (1843-1853)

Anna Atkins is the artist behind "Lichina pygmæa", dated 1843-1853. Background on Plants & Animals: Naturalists and artists often worked together, especially on voyages and in published surveys of flora and fauna. Images of plants and animals are valued both for the care of their observation and for their decorative appeal. Context for 1843-1853: The invention of lithography around 1796 and its spread in these decades made printed images cheaper and more varied. The first half of the nineteenth century moved from Neoclassicism to Romanticism, which placed emotion, nature, and the sublime at the centre of painting. The catalogue places it in Plants & Animals. The format is portrait.

On onlly.art "Lichina pygmæa" is sold as a digital download (Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI). The files are delivered by email after payment, so nothing is shipped: you print locally, choosing the paper, size, and frame yourself. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. Before printing, compare the proportions of the file with your frame so that nothing important is cropped. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour.

English, 1799–1871

If you like the visual language of Anna Atkins, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.