Caterpillars, Butterflies and Flower, 1705 (1705-1771)
Maria Sibylla Merianexpand_more
Hand-colored etching and engravingexpand_more
The Minnich Collection The Ethel Morrison Van DerLip Fund, 1966expand_more P.18,717
Not on Viewexpand_more
In this beautifully balanced composition, Merian has depicted two Saturniid moths Arsenura armada (Cramer) at top right and bottom left. The larvae are not the early stage of this moth as Merian had thought, but of another species. The plant in the center is the Palisade tree, which can grow sixty-five feet tall and is native to tropical South America. The Saturniid moth has a wide distribution from Mexico to southern Brazil and can vary greatly in appearance.
Details
- Title
- Caterpillars, Butterflies and Flower
- Artist Life
- 1647-1717
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- P.18,717
- Provenance
- Dwight and Helen Minnich, Minneapolis; sold to MIA, 1966.
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Nissen: 1342; Cat. Ger. Nat'l Museum, 1967
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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