MERIAN, Maria Sibylla (1647-1717) - photo 1
MERIAN, Maria Sibylla (1647-1717) - photo 2
MERIAN, Maria Sibylla (1647-1717) - photo 3
MERIAN, Maria Sibylla (1647-1717) - photo 4

MERIAN, Maria Sibylla (1647-1717)

Sold
£ 35 280
Auction dateClassic
14.07.2023 11:00UTC +01:00
Auctioneer
CHRISTIE'S
Event location
United Kingdom, London
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 997595
Lot 20 | MERIAN, Maria Sibylla (1647-1717)
MERIAN, Maria Sibylla (1647-1717)
De Europische Insecten, Naauwkeurig onderzogt, na 't leven geschildert, en in print gebragt door. Amsterdam: J. F. Bernard, 1730.
The work on the insects of Europe by the naturalist-artist Maria Sibylla Merian, whose 'careful and deliberate portrayal of insect and host plant together had no precedent in scientific illustration' (Blunt and Stearn). Born in Frankfurt in 1647, Merian was the daughter of the engraver Matthäus Merian and step-daughter of the flower painter Jacob Marrel. She studied miniature painting and became interested in insects from an early age, capturing and drawing specimens from life. Merian’s scientific work is notable for its accurate observation of insect life and transformation in an age when spontaneous generation was still widely accepted. She published the first two parts of her work on the insects of Europe in 1679 and 1683, and was still immersed in preparing the third part for publication at her death almost 60 years later. The final volume would be completed by her daughters. The present 1730 edition was published by J.F. Bernard, who had purchased the plates of both the completed Raupenbuch and Merians’s very rare first work, Blumenbuch. Nissen 1342 (calling for 186 plates in error).

Folio (550 x 380mm). Half title, title page printed in red and black with hand-colored engraved vignettes on the title and final page; 184 hand-coloured engravings on 47 sheets (a few spots, some light even toning, repaired marginal tear just into plate LVII but without loss, one or two other very short and insignificant marginal tears). Modern calf preserving earlier calf spine, marbled paper stuck over the top of the covers, uncut (extremities rubbed). Provenance: purchased at Galerie Koller, 24 September 1996, lot 404.
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
14.07.2023
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

More from Creator

Merian,M.S.
Merian,M.S.
€150
Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717).
Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717).
$50 000

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.