Rote Lilie - Maria Sibylla Merian

A hand-coloured engraving by Maria Sibylla Merian, 'Rote Lilie' features a red lily alongside various insects. The artwork showcases Merian's skill as an illustrator and her dedication to scientific accuracy.

Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717) was a German-Swiss naturalist, scientific illustrator, and entomologist. She was one of the first naturalists to observe insects directly. Merian's meticulous observations and detailed illustrations contributed significantly to the field of entomology. Her artwork is characterised by its scientific accuracy and artistic beauty. She often depicted the life cycles of insects in their natural environments. Her work was unusual for the time, as women were not typically involved in scientific research. She undertook a research expedition to Suriname in 1699 to study and document the insect life of the region. Her most important publication, *Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium* (1705), featured detailed engravings of Surinamese insects and plants. This hand-coloured engraving depicts a red lily, accompanied by various insects at different stages of their life cycles. The composition is carefully arranged to showcase the lily's form and the insects' details. The colour palette is dominated by the red of the lily, the greens of the leaves, and the muted tones of the insects. The fine lines and precise details demonstrate Merian's skill as an illustrator and her dedication to scientific accuracy.