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

Emil Reinicke (1859 - 1942)
Emil Reinicke
1859 - 1942
Hans Baldung (1484 - 1545)
Hans Baldung
1484 - 1545
Otto Speckter (1807 - 1871)
Otto Speckter
1807 - 1871
Fritz Beckert (1877 - 1962)
Fritz Beckert
1877 - 1962
Martin Johannes Scholkmann (1938 - 2013)
Martin Johannes Scholkmann
1938 - 2013
Paul Kleinschmidt (1883 - 1949)
Paul Kleinschmidt
1883 - 1949
Otto Steinert (1915 - 1978)
Otto Steinert
1915 - 1978
Heinrich Christoph Kolbe (1771 - 1836)
Heinrich Christoph Kolbe
1771 - 1836
Kerstin Brätsch (1979)
Kerstin Brätsch
1979
Richard Hünten (1867 - 1952)
Richard Hünten
1867 - 1952
Albert Kindler (1833 - 1876)
Albert Kindler
1833 - 1876
Albert Kappis (1836 - 1914)
Albert Kappis
1836 - 1914
Henning Edens (1885 - 1943)
Henning Edens
1885 - 1943
Lothar Malskat (1913 - 1988)
Lothar Malskat
1913 - 1988
Poppe Folkerts (1875 - 1949)
Poppe Folkerts
1875 - 1949
Robert Kummer (1810 - 1889)
Robert Kummer
1810 - 1889

Creators Baroque

Willem Drost (1633 - 1659)
Willem Drost
1633 - 1659
Giacinto Gimignani (1606 - 1681)
Giacinto Gimignani
1606 - 1681
Valerio Castello (1624 - 1659)
Valerio Castello
1624 - 1659
Pierre Patel (1605 - 1676)
Pierre Patel
1605 - 1676
Willem Jacobsz. Delff (1580 - 1638)
Willem Jacobsz. Delff
1580 - 1638
Louis de Girardin (1767 - 1848)
Louis de Girardin
1767 - 1848
Domenico Fiasella (1589 - 1669)
Domenico Fiasella
1589 - 1669
Giovanni Capassini (1510 - 1579)
Giovanni Capassini
1510 - 1579
Leonardo da Pistoia (1502 - 1548)
Leonardo da Pistoia
1502 - 1548
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710 - 1736)
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi
1710 - 1736
Pierre Philibert Degand (1747 - 1825)
Pierre Philibert Degand
1747 - 1825
Giovanni Carlo Galli-Bibiena (1717 - 1760)
Giovanni Carlo Galli-Bibiena
1717 - 1760
Pietro Santi Bartoli (1635 - 1700)
Pietro Santi Bartoli
1635 - 1700
Johann Daniel Preißler (1666 - 1737)
Johann Daniel Preißler
1666 - 1737
John James Chalon (1778 - 1854)
John James Chalon
1778 - 1854
Gerrit Adriaensz. de Heer (1606 - 1670)
Gerrit Adriaensz. de Heer
1606 - 1670
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