The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars and Their Strange Diet of Flowers, Plate 011
1679-1683
Maria Sibylla Merian was a scientific rockstar long before the term existed, revolutionizing entomology in the 17th century. In this detailed engraving from her groundbreaking book on caterpillars, she maps out the entire life cycle of a moth—from the hairy larva munching at the bottom to the hanging chrysalis and the final winged adult. Unlike artists before her who just pinned dead bugs to boards, Merian studied them alive on their specific host plants, disproving the idea that insects spontaneously generated from mud. This plate beautifully captures the 'wonderful transformation' mentioned in her book's title, showing the plant as both food and home for the developing insect.
- Technique
- Engraving
- Material
- Ink on paper
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