Exhibitions

Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium - Maria Sibylla Merian
Amsterdam: M.S. Merian, 1705
* V2 [Merian] Extra large folio

Merian travelled to Surinam (Dutch Guiana) at the age of 52 in 1699, financing her trip by selling her paintings and collection of insects, in order to study insects in their natural habitats. She remained there for 21 months, breeding, collecting and sketching insects. Merian financed the publication of her subsequent book on insects of Surinam herself, losing money on the venture. Two versions were published, one with the text in Latin (shown here), one in Dutch. Merian engraved three of the 60 plates, a team of three engravers the rest. They depict about 90 studies of caterpillars evolving into insects, mostly life-size, and include the names and local uses of plants. The engravings are the first extensive visual record of South American plants and insects and the first record at all of many of the subjects. Later editions add 12 more plates based on the drawings of Merian’s elder daughter, Johanna.