Status Updates From Maria Sibylla Merian: Artis...

This is one of the most beautifully illustrated flora and fauna books I have read this year. Maria Merian was so talented, and it is wonderful that her life's work is being published for more generations to see and enjoy.

The book reveals a world that was amazing and can never be replicated. So much has been lost in our violent, modern world. Maria's family were Calvinists, who believed in living simply and working hard. Maria Merian marries young, aged 17, to one of her stepfather's apprentices, Andreas Graff, aged 27. Although now married with all its duties, she still pursued her painting, drawing, making and selling paints.

Many black and white pictures are included of the life of women, at home and at work. She revealed the truth about many misconceptions in connection with insects and small amphibians. She studied French and Latin. She had famous printers, publishers, and artists in her extended family. She was a very privileged young girl. She wanted to travel to see the New World and all its different flora and fauna.

A beautiful book, cover to cover. The full color illustrations of floral arrangements from Maria, her father, and others are amazing. An unknown woman, born in 1647, was ahead of her time. She was inquisitive, talented and driven to learn all she could about the nature around her. She recorded 318 studies of different insects and their life courses. A comprehensive book had not been published at that time.