Maria Sibylla Merian (1647 - 1717)

Maria Sibylla Merian (1647 - 1717) - photo 1

Maria Sibylla Merian

Maria Sibylla Merian was a German-born naturalist and artist renowned for her contributions to entomology and botanical art. Born in Frankfurt am Main in 1647, Merian gained recognition for her detailed studies and illustrations of insects and plants, focusing on their life cycles and metamorphosis, which significantly advanced the field of entomology.

Maria Sibylla Merian's journey into the world of natural history began in her hometown of Frankfurt, where she started studying insects, particularly their metamorphosis. Her marriage to Johann Andreas Graff, an artist's apprentice, eventually took her to Nuremberg, where she continued her work and published her findings. Despite personal challenges, including an unhappy marriage, Merian's dedication to her studies remained unwavering.

A pivotal moment in Merian's life was her association with the Labadist community, where she delved deeper into her studies. Her time with the Labadists in Friesland allowed her to study a variety of species, further enriching her scientific endeavors. Merian's relentless pursuit of knowledge eventually led her to Amsterdam, a hub of scientific inquiry and trade, where she was exposed to a vast array of specimens from across the globe.

Maria Sibylla Merian's most ambitious expedition was to Suriname in South America, where she studied and documented the region's diverse flora and fauna. Her observations and illustrations from this expedition were groundbreaking, providing valuable insights into the natural world. Merian's works, including her detailed engravings and illustrations, not only captivate with their beauty but also serve as valuable scientific records. Her legacy is preserved in institutions like the National Museum of Women in the Arts, which houses some of her remarkable engravings.

Maria Sibylla Merian's life and work exemplify the profound impact of combining art and science, leaving an indelible mark on both fields. Her dedication to observing and documenting the natural world continues to inspire scientists and artists alike.

Date and place of birt:2 april 1647, Frankfurt, Germany
Date and place of death:13 january 1717, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Nationality:Germany, Surinam, The Netherlands
Period of activity: XVII, XVIII century
Specialization:Artist, Engraver, Illustrator, Naturalist, Painter
Genre:Still life
Art style:Baroque, Old Masters

Creators Germany

Georg Grasegger (1873 - 1927)
Georg Grasegger
1873 - 1927
Giovanni Buonaventura Genelli (1798 - 1868)
Giovanni Buonaventura Genelli
1798 - 1868
Carl Adolph Heinrich Hess (1769 - 1849)
Carl Adolph Heinrich Hess
1769 - 1849
W. Gies (1945)
W. Gies
1945
Alphons Bodenmüller (1847 - 1886)
Alphons Bodenmüller
1847 - 1886
Christian Brandl (1970)
Christian Brandl
1970
Johannes Theodor Baargeld (1892 - 1927)
Johannes Theodor Baargeld
1892 - 1927
Alfred Vogel (1914)
Alfred Vogel
1914
Janus Genelli (1761 - 1813)
Janus Genelli
1761 - 1813
Johann Philipp Heinel (1800 - 1843)
Johann Philipp Heinel
1800 - 1843
Heinrich Kley (1863 - 1945)
Heinrich Kley
1863 - 1945
Julius Konrad Hentschel (1872 - 1907)
Julius Konrad Hentschel
1872 - 1907
Franz Krüger (1797 - 1857)
Franz Krüger
1797 - 1857
Heinrich Dersch (1889 - 1967)
Heinrich Dersch
1889 - 1967
Thomas Müller (1959)
Thomas Müller
1959
Johann Philipp Ulbricht (1762 - 1836)
Johann Philipp Ulbricht
1762 - 1836

Creators Baroque

 Domenichino (1581 - 1641)
Domenichino
1581 - 1641
Francesca Vicenzina (1657 - 1700)
Francesca Vicenzina
1657 - 1700
Kyara Varotari (1584 - 1663)
Kyara Varotari
1584 - 1663
Frans van Stampart (1675 - 1750)
Frans van Stampart
1675 - 1750
Salvator Rosa (1615 - 1673)
Salvator Rosa
1615 - 1673
Jakob Schlesinger (1792 - 1855)
Jakob Schlesinger
1792 - 1855
 Master FG (XVI century - XVI century)
Master FG
XVI century - XVI century
Giovanni Battista Busiri (1698 - 1757)
Giovanni Battista Busiri
1698 - 1757
Jean Nocret (1615 - 1672)
Jean Nocret
1615 - 1672
Jacob de Wit (1695 - 1754)
Jacob de Wit
1695 - 1754
Domenico Mondo (1723 - 1806)
Domenico Mondo
1723 - 1806
 Master of the Magdalene Legend (XV century - 1537)
Master of the Magdalene Legend
XV century - 1537
Johannes Hals (1613 - 1654)
Johannes Hals
1613 - 1654
Georg Gärtner (1575 - 1654)
Georg Gärtner
1575 - 1654
Franz Xaver Placidus von Schumacher (1755 - 1812)
Franz Xaver Placidus von Schumacher
1755 - 1812
François Denis Née (1732 - 1817)
François Denis Née
1732 - 1817