Antique Maps, Books, & Prints of Natural History, Botanicals, & More
Lot 61851:
Description
This charming, hand-colored entomology engraving is from Maria Sibylla Merian’s
De Europische Insecten. This first Dutch edition of the work was published in Amsterdam by Jean Frederic Bernard in 1730. It was originally entitled
Der Raupen wunderbare Verwandelung und sonderbare Blumennahrung when published in Nuremberg.
Maria Sibylla Merian was a naturalist and artist. Her contributions to entomology were nevery truly acknowledged in her lifetime, but she is considered a groundbreaker in the fields of botany and zoology. She made detailed observations of live specimens, which was a departure from previous studies that used preserved specimens. She focused great detail on the processes of metamorphosis which had not been studied so comprehensively before her work.
"Her portrayals of living insects and other animals were imbued with a charm, a minuteness of observation and an artistic sensibility that had not previously been seen in a natural history book". Merian’s "artistic groupings of the insects amidst the tropical flora makes this book one of the most beautiful and unusual in the whole range of natural history" (Landwehr Dutch Books with Coloured Plates, p.28).
Paper Size ~ 6 1/2" by 9 1/4"; Plate 119 ~ 6 3/4" by 9 3/4"
Condition report:
The work is in very good to excellent condition. There may be a few minor imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.
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