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

Clemens Freitag (1883 - 1969)
Clemens Freitag
1883 - 1969
Conrad Hommel (1883 - 1971)
Conrad Hommel
1883 - 1971
Johann Leonhard Raab (1825 - 1899)
Johann Leonhard Raab
1825 - 1899
Max Schmidt (1818 - 1901)
Max Schmidt
1818 - 1901
Willy Graba (1894 - 1973)
Willy Graba
1894 - 1973
Carl Altena (1894 - 1971)
Carl Altena
1894 - 1971
Jean-André Reiche (1752 - 1817)
Jean-André Reiche
1752 - 1817
Heinrich Ehmsen (1886 - 1964)
Heinrich Ehmsen
1886 - 1964
Anton Radl (1774 - 1852)
Anton Radl
1774 - 1852
Hilla von Rebay (1890 - 1967)
Hilla von Rebay
1890 - 1967
Christian Georg Schuetz (1758 - 1823)
Christian Georg Schuetz
1758 - 1823
Oskar Koller (1925 - 2004)
Oskar Koller
1925 - 2004
August Voigt-Fölger (1837 - 1918)
August Voigt-Fölger
1837 - 1918
Paul Thiem (1858 - 1922)
Paul Thiem
1858 - 1922
Carl Martin Ebersberg (1818 - 1880)
Carl Martin Ebersberg
1818 - 1880
Ludwig Bock (1886 - 1971)
Ludwig Bock
1886 - 1971

Creators Baroque

Scipione Pulzone (1544 - 1598)
Scipione Pulzone
1544 - 1598
Tiberio di Tito (1573 - 1627)
Tiberio di Tito
1573 - 1627
Johann Wilhelm Baur (1607 - 1640)
Johann Wilhelm Baur
1607 - 1640
Enrico Albrici (1714 - 1773)
Enrico Albrici
1714 - 1773
Jacopo Cestaro (1718 - 1785)
Jacopo Cestaro
1718 - 1785
Dirck Helmbreeker (1633 - 1696)
Dirck Helmbreeker
1633 - 1696
Paul Coecke van Aelst (1530 - 1569)
Paul Coecke van Aelst
1530 - 1569
Pierre-Jérôme Lordon (1779 - 1838)
Pierre-Jérôme Lordon
1779 - 1838
Lucas van Doetecum (1501 - 1579)
Lucas van Doetecum
1501 - 1579
Arnaldo Tornieri (1739 - 1829)
Arnaldo Tornieri
1739 - 1829
Noël Coypel (1628 - 1707)
Noël Coypel
1628 - 1707
Pierre Corneille (1606 - 1684)
Pierre Corneille
1606 - 1684
Joshua Shaw (1776 - 1860)
Joshua Shaw
1776 - 1860
Anton Domenico Gabbiani (1652 - 1726)
Anton Domenico Gabbiani
1652 - 1726
Hendrik Frans van Lint (1684 - 1763)
Hendrik Frans van Lint
1684 - 1763
Sebastiano Conca (1680 - 1764)
Sebastiano Conca
1680 - 1764