Plate showing stages of Cocytius antaeus, from Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium - Maria Sibylla Merian

A hand-coloured engraving by Maria Sibylla Merian, this print depicts the life cycle of the *Cocytius antaeus* moth from her book *Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium*. The detailed illustration combines scientific accuracy with artistic skill.

This hand-coloured engraving is from Maria Sibylla Merian's influential work, *Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium*, published in 1705. Merian (1647-1717) was a German-Swiss naturalist and scientific illustrator. She is celebrated for her detailed observations and depictions of insects and plants. Her approach combined artistic skill with scientific inquiry. She travelled to Suriname in 1699 to study and document the local flora and fauna. This was an unusual undertaking for a woman at the time. Her work contributed significantly to the fields of entomology and botany. The plate illustrates the life cycle of the *Cocytius antaeus*, a species of sphinx moth. The composition features the moth in its various stages of development, from caterpillar to pupa to adult moth. The plant provides a naturalistic setting. Merian's meticulous attention to detail is evident in the rendering of the insect's anatomy and the plant's botanical features. The colours are delicately applied, enhancing the visual appeal and scientific accuracy of the illustration. The composition is both informative and aesthetically pleasing, reflecting Merian's dual role as artist and scientist.