Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium

by Maria Sibylla Merian

The first full-size publication of the magnum opus of Maria Sibylla Merian, considered by none other than David Attenborough to be among the most significant contributors to the field of entomology An intriguing work by one of the foremost female scientists of the 17th centuryMaria Sibylla Merian was a German naturalist and scientific illustrator. She is considered by none other than David Attenborough to be among the most significant contributors to the field of entomology, because of her careful observations and documentation of the metamorphosis of the butterfly. In 1705, Merian published Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, for which she became famous. No more than 30 copies of this masterwork are left worldwide. In 2017, it will be 300 years since Maria Sibylla Merian passed away. To mark this occasion, a facsimile of Merian's highly successful book will be released. A must-have for any lover of natural history. Modern readers will at last be able to see with their own eyes how detailed and colorful Merian's magnificent work was. The book includes a comprehensive introduction and background information by renowned historians and biologists. Also included is a foreword by Merian specialist Redmond O'Hanlon, a biographical introduction by art historian Dr. Ella Reitsman. Dr. Kay Etheridge, professor biology at Gettysburg College discusses the meaning of Merian's work for biology and Dr. Bert van de Roemer talks about the historical context."

Genres: Science, Art, Nonfiction, Nature, Biology, Animals, History

200 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2009

About the author

Maria Sibylla Merian was a naturalist and scientific illustrator who studied plants and insects and made detailed paintings about them. Her detailed observations and documentation of the metamorphosis of the butterfly make her a significant contributor to entomology.

Reviews

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most wonderful book of scientific, artful and lifelike renditions of special insects, mainly butterflies and moths, created in 1700 by a German woman from Frankfurt.

[Thomasin Propson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maria's plates are beautiful to look at, but also glad for this edition's information about how she gathered the insects, lizards, and plants, and especially the notable misidentifications.

Would like to create embroideries or needlepoints based on some of her plates. Have a long list of the "best" to adapt.

[Edith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb reproduction of Maria Sibylla Merian's plates from the book Insects of Surinam. With description, biography. The observation and detail, color, and even the sense of humor, of these plates, made by the remarkable 50 year old divorced German woman who travelled to Surinam from Holland accompanied by her young daughter in the late 17th c. are magnificent. They can be appreciated for their beauty alone. Well worth acquiring, and highly recommended.

[Wetdryvac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purely bloody amazing. I'm so very glad this book was recommended to me, even if most of what I did was look at the lovely pictures and struggle with the language just enough to sort out what each picture was of.

Lovely work indeed.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

[Cathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing.