A Vision of Rosalind Franklin

Scientist Rosalind Franklin made the first clear X-Ray image of the structure of DNA. The artists have re-presenting and incorporating her iconic Photo 51 into their art.
The work will tour internationally in exhibition in 2007

Rosalind Franklins famous Photo 51 shows the mysterious “X” shape that informed Watson and Crick of double helix structure of DNA. The picture to the top left is Wyllie O Hagan's Vision of Rosalind, incorporating her Photo 51, celebrating her work.

With this photograph as physical evidence, but without her knowledge or consent, Watson and Crick went on to publish their Nobel Prize-winning theoretical structure of DNA in Nature in 1953.

The bottom left picture shows a new hand screenprinted work.

Rosalind Franklin wrote:
“In my view, all that is necessary for faith is the belief that by doing our best we shall succeed in our aims: the improvement of mankind.”

Rosalind Franklin died at the age of 37 from ovarian cancer.


Wyllie O Hagan's "A Vision of Rosalind Franklin" was presented to Dr Barbara Goff, at the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance's inaugural Rosalind Franklin Excellence in Research Award in Atlanta 2005.

In 2006, Dr Elise Kohn was awarded the prize, and a specially commissioned art print was given - A Vision of Rosalind Franklin for OCNA.

Wyllie O Hagan's work “Art Communicates Science Knowledge” at the conference

The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Conference brings together survivors, their families, community activists and health care professionals from across the USA and abroad to expand their advocacy skills, and learn from the top experts in the ovarian cancer field.