Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2016.7.2 |
Object Name |
|
Description |
"Study of Butterflies, Caterpillar, Pupa, and Chrysalis," hand-colored copperplate engraving from "Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium (Transformations of the insects of Suriname)," by Maria Sibylla Merian. Amsterdam, 1719. Though the odds were stacked against her as a woman, naturalist and illustrator, Maria Sibylla Merian, is among the most important contributors to the field of natural history. In 1699 she traveled to South America with her daughter to study insects in Suriname, resulting in the publication of her magnum opus, Metamorphosis Insectorum. Like other natural histories of the 1700s, Metamorphosis emphasized beautiful illustration. But while the trompe l'oeil effect of specimens "pinned" to the page in this print is a nod to fine art, the book was a serious scientific text, and included the first studies of the life cycle of butterflies. The book helped disprove the idea of spontaneous generation, and is considered one of the most important natural history books of all time. |
Title |
Study of Butterflies, Caterpillar, Pupa, and Chrysalis |
Date |
1719 |
Role of Creator |
Artist |
Creator |
Merian, Maria Sibylla |
Medium |
hand color engraving |
Material |
paper |
Dimensions |
H-19.75 W-14 inches |
Credit line |
Museum purchase made possible by John Glynn |
Place of Origin |
Europe/Netherlands/North Holland/Amsterdam |
Subjects |
Gender Gender roles Illustration, Entomological Insects Natural History Travel Women |