Dissertation on the generation and transformations of the insects of Surinam Pl.70
1705
Maria Sibylla Merian was a scientific pioneer who traveled to Surinam in 1699 to study insects firsthand, a bold move for a woman in the Baroque era. This plate from her famous 1705 book illustrates the incredible life cycle of various insects alongside their host plants, debunking the old idea that bugs spontaneously generated from mud. You can spot a large beetle taking flight, delicate moths, and colorful caterpillars munching on leaves, all connected to a vibrant plant featuring yellow blooms and a striking blue flower. Her detailed observations changed science forever, proving the magic of metamorphosis!
- Technique
- hand-colored engraving
- Material
- paper
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