{"product_id":"metamorphosis-insectorum-surinamensium-plate-xx-maria-sibylla-merian","title":"Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium, Plate XX - Maria Sibylla Merian","description":"\u003cp\u003eA detailed scientific illustration by Maria Sibylla Merian, documenting the life cycle of the Thysania agrippina moth from her 1705 study in Suriname.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis plate originates from Maria Sibylla Merian's seminal work, Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium, published in 1705. Merian, a naturalist and scientific illustrator, travelled to the Dutch colony of Suriname in 1699 to document the life cycles of insects in their natural environment. This expedition was unusual for the period, particularly for a woman travelling independently.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition depicts the Thysania agrippina, or the white witch moth, alongside its larval and pupal stages. Merian presents the insect not as a static specimen, but as a living organism interacting with its host plant. The moth is shown in two states: one with wings spread to reveal the intricate patterning, and another resting on the foliage. The caterpillar, with its distinct striped markings, crawls along the branch, while the pupa is attached to the bark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMerian's approach to natural history was observational. She rejected the common practice of drawing from dried specimens, preferring to study live subjects. Her work bridges the gap between art and science, providing accurate anatomical detail while maintaining a sense of narrative movement. The hand-coloured etching captures the textures of the leaves and the delicate structure of the moth wings with precision. This print offers a glimpse into the early eighteenth-century study of entomology, reflecting the curiosity of the era regarding the natural world of the Americas. The clarity of the line work and the balanced application of colour demonstrate the technical skill required to produce such plates for publication. This piece remains a primary source for understanding the development of biological illustration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/kokerworm-caddisfly-larva-willem-wenckebach\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eKokerworm (Caddisfly Larva) by Willem Wenckebach\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/libelle-en-twee-nachtvlinders-pieter-lyonet\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eLibelle en twee nachtvlinders - Pieter Lyonet by Pierre Lyonnet\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/maria-sibylla-merian\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#2a555a;border:1px solid #2a555a;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#ffffff;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eMaria Sibylla Merian prints →\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Maria Sibylla Merian","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":59131119141199,"sku":null,"price":29.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":59131124973903,"sku":null,"price":39.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":59131125006671,"sku":null,"price":49.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ B2 (50x70 cm) \/ -","offer_id":59131125039439,"sku":null,"price":69.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A1 (59.4 x 84.1  cm) \/ -","offer_id":59131125072207,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59131125104975,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":59131125137743,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59131125170511,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59131125203279,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":59131125236047,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59131125268815,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59131125301583,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":59131125334351,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59131125367119,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ B2 (50x70 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59131125399887,"sku":null,"price":225.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ B2 (50x70 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":59131125432655,"sku":null,"price":225.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ B2 (50x70 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59131125465423,"sku":null,"price":225.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A1 (59.4 x 84.1  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59131125498191,"sku":null,"price":285.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A1 (59.4 x 84.1  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":59131125530959,"sku":null,"price":285.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A1 (59.4 x 84.1  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59131125563727,"sku":null,"price":285.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Metamorphosis-insectorum-Surinamensium-Plate-XX_Poster_CompositorV1_1792114724994.jpg?v=1792135316","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.com\/products\/metamorphosis-insectorum-surinamensium-plate-xx-maria-sibylla-merian","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}