Cherry Branch With Achilles Morpho

by Getty Research Institute

Title

Cherry Branch With Achilles Morpho

Artist

Getty Research Institute

Medium

Photograph - Photograph

Description

Branch of a Trinidad cherry (Malpighia punicifolia) with Achilles morpho (Morpho achilles) and unidentified larva. Illustration by Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717) from her book "Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium (Insects of Surinam)." Maria Sibylla Merian was a German-born naturalist and scientific illustrator. After living in the Dutch colony of Surinam for two years, she published her major work, Insects of Surinam, in 1705, for which she became famous. Because of her careful observations and documentation of the metamorphosis of the butterfly, she is considered among the most significant contributors to the field of entomology. Merian was one of the first naturalists to observe insects directly. The pursuit of her work in Surinam was an unusual endeavor, especially for a woman. Scientific expeditions at this period of time were not common, and Merian's unofficial, self-funded expedition raised many eyebrows. She succeeded, however, in discovering a whole range of previously unknown animals and plants in the interior of Surinam.

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April 4th, 2014

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