LANNOO Maria Sibylla Merian: Changing the Nature of Art and Science

A beautifully produced book with the latest scholarship on Maria Sibylla Merian’s life and work, which inspired generations of scientists, artists and enthusiasts Includes contributions by 23 international experts “Merian succeeded brilliantly in creating a one-woman genre that addressed both the requirements of the naturalists for anatomical correctness and the aesthetic interests of the connoisseurs.” – Arthur McGregor, president of the Society for the History of Natural History Winner of the CBHL 2024 Annual Literature Award for a work that makes a significant contribution to the literature of botany or horticulture The revolutionary artist and naturalist Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717) has come into the spotlight in recent years. The life and work of this German-born woman, who would later settle in the Netherlands, has been studied internationally by entomologists, botanists and historians and are a source of inspiration for contemporary artists and writers. In 2016, Lannoo Publishers, in collaboration with the Koninklijke Bibliotheek, republished her masterpiece ‘Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium’ as a facsimile. This well-illustrated book assembles the most recent scientific knowledge about this remarkable woman. The authors examine, among other things, Merian's pioneering work on the reproduction and development of insects, the methods and materials she used for her work, her remarkable journey to Suriname, her network of family, friends and patrons and her widespread influence on the history of art and science. Her work is compared to that of early modern and contemporary artists and scientists.