Plate 28

Citrus Fruit and Beetle, 1705-1771

Not on Viewexpand_more

This large citron, Citrus medica (Linnaeus), grows as a shrub or tree to about twelve feet tall and was introduced to South America during the sixteenth or seventeenth centuries. Merian commented "They are candied; in Holland they are baked in gingerbread." The colorful insect is the Harlequin beetle, a species found from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. Merian admired it very much, saying; "The beautiful black beetle decorated with red and yellow flecks shown resting on the fruit was added on account of its rarity to complete and decorate the engraving, although I do not know its origin; I gladly leave it to others to investigate this creature further."

Details
Title
Citrus Fruit and Beetle
Artist Life
1647-1717
Role
Artist
Accession Number
P.18,721
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.

Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know

Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.

Plate 28