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Maria Merian, German naturalist
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Maria Merian, German naturalist
Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717), German naturalist. Born in Frankfurt, Germany, daughter of a Swiss engraver, Merian was both a botanical illustrator and naturalist. Between 1675 and 1680, she published three books, with hand-coloured engravings, on plants and caterpillars and their life cycle. She also studied and described the life cycles of 186 insect species. She was dismissed by the scientific establishment for not writing in Latin. From 1699 to 1701 she travelled to and worked in Surinam, discovering and classifying many unknown plants and animals. Her classifications and illustrations are still used by botanists and museums
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Media ID 6296485
© SHEILA TERRY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
1600s 1700s 17th Century 18th Century Artist Biologist Botanist Engravings German Insects Life Cycle Maria Sybilla Merian Metamorphosis Natural History Naturalist Scientific Research Scientist South America Surinam Dutch Guiana Illustrator Maria Sibylla Merian Plant Classification
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This print showcases Maria Sibylla Merian, a remarkable German naturalist whose contributions to botany and entomology remain influential to this day. Born in Frankfurt in 1647, she was the daughter of a Swiss engraver and possessed both artistic talent and scientific curiosity. Merian defied societal norms by publishing three books between 1675 and 1680, featuring meticulously hand-colored engravings depicting plants, caterpillars, and their life cycles. Despite her groundbreaking work studying and describing the life cycles of 186 insect species, Merian faced criticism from the scientific establishment for not writing in Latin. Undeterred by these setbacks, she embarked on an extraordinary journey to Surinam from 1699 to 1701. During her time there, she made numerous discoveries of unknown plants and animals while diligently classifying them. Merian's classifications and illustrations continue to be utilized by botanists and museums worldwide. Her legacy as a pioneering female scientist endures through her invaluable contributions to our understanding of nature's intricacies. This print serves as a testament to Maria Sibylla Merian's unwavering dedication to scientific research during the late 17th century. It captures her profound impact on botanical illustration, entomology studies, plant classification, insect classification, metamorphosis research - all areas that have shaped modern biology. Science Photo Library proudly presents this historical artwork that immortalizes one woman's passion for exploring the wonders of nature despite facing adversity within male-dominated fields. Let us celebrate Maria Sibylla Merian as an inspiration for future generations of scientists seeking knowledge about our world's diverse flora and fauna.
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