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

Francis Bott (1904 - 1998)
Francis Bott
1904 - 1998
Jan Peter Tripp (1945)
Jan Peter Tripp
1945
Oscar Begas (1828 - 1883)
Oscar Begas
1828 - 1883
Louis Busmann (1944 - 2014)
Louis Busmann
1944 - 2014
Jan Verkade (1868 - 1946)
Jan Verkade
1868 - 1946
Rolf Rose (1933)
Rolf Rose
1933
Carl Johann Spielter (1851 - 1922)
Carl Johann Spielter
1851 - 1922
Louise Seidler (1786 - 1866)
Louise Seidler
1786 - 1866
Anton Seitz (1829 - 1900)
Anton Seitz
1829 - 1900
Siegfried Neuenhausen (1931)
Siegfried Neuenhausen
1931
Beate Passow (1945)
Beate Passow
1945
Heinrich Heidersberger (1906 - 2006)
Heinrich Heidersberger
1906 - 2006
Heinrich Lauenstein (1835 - 1910)
Heinrich Lauenstein
1835 - 1910
Martin Lersch (1954)
Martin Lersch
1954
Heinz Trökes (1913 - 1997)
Heinz Trökes
1913 - 1997
Felix Schlesinger (1833 - 1910)
Felix Schlesinger
1833 - 1910

Creators Baroque

Nicolas Robert (1614 - 1685)
Nicolas Robert
1614 - 1685
Ludolf de Jongh (1616 - 1679)
Ludolf de Jongh
1616 - 1679
Philippe de Champaigne (1602 - 1674)
Philippe de Champaigne
1602 - 1674
Paolo Alboni (1671 - 1734)
Paolo Alboni
1671 - 1734
Hendrick Goltzius (1558 - 1617)
Hendrick Goltzius
1558 - 1617
Bartolomeo Karlo Rastrelli (1675 - 1744)
Bartolomeo Karlo Rastrelli
1675 - 1744
Andreas Matthäus Wolfgang (1660 - 1736)
Andreas Matthäus Wolfgang
1660 - 1736
Giovanni Maria Bottalla (il Raffaellino) (1613 - 1644)
Giovanni Maria Bottalla (il Raffaellino)
1613 - 1644
Andrea Andreani (1558 - 1629)
Andrea Andreani
1558 - 1629
Joseph Werner (1637 - 1710)
Joseph Werner
1637 - 1710
Petrus Staverenus (1615 - 1660)
Petrus Staverenus
1615 - 1660
Bernardo Cavallino (1616 - 1656)
Bernardo Cavallino
1616 - 1656
Pietro Santi Bartoli (1635 - 1700)
Pietro Santi Bartoli
1635 - 1700
Jean-Baptiste Belin de Fontenay (1653 - 1715)
Jean-Baptiste Belin de Fontenay
1653 - 1715
Camillo Rizzi (1590 - 1626)
Camillo Rizzi
1590 - 1626
Romeyn de Hooghe (1645 - 1708)
Romeyn de Hooghe
1645 - 1708
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