Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium, Plate 17

A citrus branch with a ripe lemon, blossom and butterflies, drawn with a naturalist's close attention to each stage of an insect's life.

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About this artwork

This hand-coloured engraving shows a citrus branch bearing a lemon and flowers. Two dark butterflies with pink markings sit among the leaves, and a caterpillar and a pupa appear alongside them, so the insect's changing forms are set beside the plant. The plate is numbered 17 and comes from Maria Sibylla Merian's Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium of 1705. Merian was a naturalist and scientific illustrator, among the earliest Europeans to record insects through direct observation. Her work showed that insects pass through a life cycle rather than appearing by spontaneous generation.

On your wall: The soft botanical subject and the yellow, green and pink tones suit a kitchen, dining room, study or hallway, especially where a quiet natural touch is wanted.

Title: Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium, Plate 17
Artist: Maria Sibylla Merian
Year: 1705
Style: Floral & botanical
Shape: Portrait

Public domain. Image via Wikimedia Commons.

Text based on Wikimedia Commons.

Maria Sibylla Merian Floral & botanical

About Maria Sibylla Merian

Maria Sibylla Merian was a German-Dutch naturalist, entomologist and scientific illustrator. She was among the first European naturalists to record insects through direct observation. Her work showed that insects pass through a life cycle rather than arising by spontaneous generation. She descended from the Frankfurt branch of the Swiss Merian family.

Based on Wikipedia.

See all 12 works by Maria Sibylla Merian

Canvas and printing

Printed on canvas and stretched over a 2 cm FSC-certified wooden frame, with the image wrapping around the edges. Framed versions sit in a wooden floater frame in black, natural or dark wood.

Delivery and returns

Every canvas is printed to order by our partner in Germany: framed canvases arrive in 6–11 working days, unframed ones in 7–12 working days. Delivery is free in Switzerland on orders from CHF 99. We also deliver to the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and many more countries, printed close to you where possible. You can return an undamaged canvas within 14 days. See delivery and returns.