top of page
Main image: Cosmos cyanotype print with gold leaf, botanical sun print on archival paper

Sun Garden Dahlia, In the Beginning

£95.00Price
The Piece
Grown on the island of my childhood and picked at Midsummer, this dahlia, a Petite Floret, is prized for its open centre and soft colouring. The open face made it a natural subject for a sun print and with the gold addition it becomes a sun on its own.
 
The Process
The flower that had grown slowly from seed was handpicked. The cyanotype was created with exposure to the most powerful sunlight of the year, the Summer light. The centre of each flower was detailed with real gold leaf. 
 
Cyanotype is one of the most sustainable photographic processes, developed using only iron salts and sunlight.
 
 
The Materials
Printed on archival quality paper, acid free, 300gsm
Hand finished with 24K gold leaf details 
Mounted on acid free 1.4mm thick mountboard 
Signed by hand on the paper
 
The Specifications
Dimensions, image: 20x15cm
Dimensions, mounted: 25x20cm, fits an 8x10 inch frame
Mount Aperture: 19.6x14.6cm
Paper: Hanhemule, archival
Edition: one-of-a-kind
Signed: Yes, on paper

Care: Keep out of direct sunlight to preserve the blue
 
 
Quantity

  • FAQ

    What is a cyanotype print?
    It is a picture made using sunlight instead of a camera. Cyanotypes are created from a light sensitive solution of Iron salts, when the solution is exposed to UV light it turns blue, the image is created by placing an object onto the paper and blocking the light. I would describe a Cyanotype as capture shadows.   

     

    Is this a photograph or a print?
    Both actually. A Cyanotype is a made by a cameraless photographic process, technically it is a photogram which is when an object used to create an image vs a negative which produces a photograph. It is technically also a print but a one-of-a-kind print.
     

    Is it archival?
    Yes, your Cyanotype should last hundreds of years if cared for. 

    How should I care for a cyanotype print?
    Keep in a dry area out of direct sunlight to preserve the depth of the blue, if after some time your print has faded remove it to a dark place for up to two weeks, the Cyanotype will return to the original deep Prussian Blue colour. 

     

    Is this piece one of a kind?
    Absolutely, the nature of my process means that each Cyanotype is completely unique even when that same flower has be used for more than one print. 

​

Please keep your print out of direct sunlight. If, over time, your print has faded, remove it to a dark place and within two weeks, as if by magic it will be restored to the original Prussian blue colour. All cyanotypes are made on archival paper and should last many years.

COPYRIGHT

All image copyrights are retained by Marita Wai, even after purchase. Please do not reproduce any images or content for personal or professional gain without my written permission. Thank you.

©2026 Marita Wai

bottom of page