ZI001
[No title]
Antique print of butterflies, caterpillars and pupa on pomegranates by Maria Sibylla Merian (1647–1717.
I Mutoer was the engraver. from her Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium [Metamorphoses of the Insects of Surinam], first published in 1705.
Maria was the daughter of the engraver Matthäus Merian the Elder, who specialized in city views and landscapes.
She is most famous for her books illustrating the way caterpillars change into butterflies.
However, she also depicted the plants on which the caterpillars feed, making her plates equally interesting as botanical illustrations.
This plate and the book it comes from are the result of her two years’ field work in Surinam. Maria personally hand coloured some copies of her book. Unfortunately, we are not able to say whether or not this is one such example.
Platemark measures 359x262mm (14 1/8 x 10 1/4 in) Excellent condition. Fine hand colour. $1500
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