victorian art of diatom arrangement
Diatoms are microscopic algae which happen to come in many varieties of sizes and shapes.
Because they’re not seen by the naked eye the artist must find and arrange them under a microscope!
This art form dates back to the early 1800s and reached it’s peak of popularity in the late 19th century.
DIATOM PATTERN ARRANGEMENT
Diatom arrangements are a perfect example of that Victorian desire to display nature in rational ways.
Organizing and categorizing the natural world was very popular at the time.
DIATOMS
These incredible patterns were sold along with other miniature curiosities, including microscopic photographs, to wealthy amateur naturalists who would exhibit them at social gatherings as an amusement.
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