Of interest to historians of feminism, natural science, entomology, botanical illustration ~
New York Times (24 Jan. 2017), with portrait by Merian's second husband, Georg Gsell:
Amsterdam (conference host, June 2017):
Maria's father, Matthaus Merian, was a respected engraver and publisher; for an instance of his contribution to the popular vogue in 17th-century emblem books, see Image 11 < here >. My collection of rare & special books includes a deluxe facsimile of Maria's resplendent 'St Petersburg watercolours' (Munich, Berlin, London, NY: Prestel, 2003), tall folio, slipcase,175 pp, lavishly illustrated (color plates), with Introduction, commentaries, and Merian family timeline. A treasure. As a point of interest, Maria separated from her (first) husband, painter & publisher Adreas Graff, in 1685, leaving Nuremberg with her mother and two daughters to join the pietistic Labadist community at Walta Castle, Friesland; thus, her connection to the great Dutch prodigy, Anna Maria Van Schurman, 'star of Utrecht' and a subject of renewed interest these days (our thanks to Anne R. Larsen). Maria Sibylla Merian departed the Labadists in 1691, moving to Amsterdam; dying, in her 70th year, 1717. An extraordinary individual, by any standard. And such courage!
MEM
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