Maria Sybilla Merian

Place: Frankfurt

Born: 1647

Death: 1717

Biography:

Early Life and Training

, a German-born naturalist and scientific illustrator, was born on April 2, 1647, in Frankfurt, Germany. She was the ninth child of Matthäus Merian the Elder, a Swiss engraver and publisher, and his second wife, Johanna Sybilla Heyne. After her father's death in 1650, her mother remarried Jacob Marrel, a still life painter, who encouraged Maria to draw and paint.

Artistic Career and Contributions

Maria received artistic training from her stepfather, Jacob Marrel, and his pupil Abraham Mignon. At the age of 13, she painted her first images of insects and plants from specimens she had captured. Her early work led to a fascination with the metamorphosis of insects, which would become the focus of her later research. * Key Contributions:

• Published her first book of natural illustrations in 1675
• Documented evidence on the process of metamorphosis and plant hosts of 186 European insect species
• Traveled to Dutch Guiana in 1699 to study tropical insects
• Published Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium in 1705, influencing future naturalist illustrators

Notable Works and Legacy

* Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium (1705) - a two-volume series on caterpillars, showcasing her detailed observations of insect life cycles * The Contini Bonacossi Collection at the Uffizi Gallery - although not directly related to Merian's work, this collection showcases the importance of Italian art and its influence on European culture * Maria Sybilla Merian's Artworks - available for viewing on Wikioo.org

Impact on Entomology and Art

Maria Sibylla Merian's meticulous research and detailed illustrations dispelled the notion of spontaneous generation, establishing the concept of predictable life cycles in insects. Her work has been recognized by David Attenborough as a significant contribution to entomology. * Legacy:

• Pioneering research in illustrating and describing insect life cycles
• Influencing future naturalist illustrators with her detailed observations
• Contributing to the development of entomology as a scientific field