Merian 1726, Pl. 56, Water Scorpion, Giant Water Beetle and Frogs

Name: Merian 1726, Pl. 56, Water Scorpion, Giant Water Beetle and Frogs
Brand: Inc.
SKU: MER-1726-0056
Availability: OutOfStock

$5,800.00

Original hand-colored engraving | circa 1726 | 21 5/8 x 14 inches

Out of stock

SKU: MER-1726-0056 Category: Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium - 1726 Edition – Antique Originals

The Merian 1726, Pl. 56, Water Scorpion, Giant Water Beetle and Frogs from Metamorphosis of the Insects of Suriname captures the developmental cycle of the insect framed by the native Surinamese flora.

This 18th-century hand-colored engraving bears the platemark – a rectangular depression in the paper around the perimeter of the image area – from the intaglio printing process. Printed on laid paper and colored by hand, the artwork features luscious colors, charming details, and nuanced textures that bring the image to life. Enhance your art collection and enliven your walls with this delightful antique engraving.

About Metamorphosis of the Insects of Suriname

Maria Sibylla Merian’s Metamorphosis of the Insects of Surinamecomprised 60 hand-colored engravings (12 additional plates added in posthumous editions) and was the first European attempt to visually document and explore the metamorphosis of insects. Created from the two years she spent observing, collecting, and painting the indigenous plants and insects of Suriname, Merian’s elegantly composed prints portray the metamorphosis of one or more species of insect. The insects are depicted in the various stages of development from larva to mature adult and are presented alongside a plant that often serves as a food source. Merian’s hand-colored engravings possess a remarkable delicacy and attention to detail that makes it appear as though the winged insects have only just alighted on the page, but might flutter off at any moment.

About Maria Sibylla Merian

Born in Frankfurt in 1647 to a family of artisans, Maria Sibylla Merian learned the printmaking trade from a young age. As she matured, Merian developed a great interest in insects, which she collected, studied, and drew. At the age of 52, Merian left her home in Amsterdam and traveled with her daughter Dorothea Maria to the Dutch colony of Surinam on the northeastern coast of South America. There, she spent two years observing the indigenous plants and insects, studying and painting them from life. This endeavor resulted in one of the most significant natural history folios of the 18th century, Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium or Metamorphosis of the Insects of Suriname, the culmination of her career as an artist and naturalist. Merian is one of the first entomologists to discover and document insect metamorphosis.

For more information about Merian 1726, Pl. 56, Water Scorpion, Giant Water Beetle and Frogs, email us at [email protected] or check out our articles Examining the Art of Maria Sibylla Merian through the Lens of 17th-century Dutch Still-Life Painting and The Influence of Scientific Modalities of Perception and Representation in Merian’s Artwork.

more information about botanical printsView All Articles

Audubon Prints Birds and Animal Art Botanical Art Information

Natural History Art Treasures under $10,000

June 4, 2024

Collecting original art doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, there are a surprising number of original paintings and antique prints that can be acquired [...]

Botanical Art

A Guide to Collecting Antique Botanical Prints

May 21, 2024

Loved for their beauty, whimsy, and relative affordability, botanical prints offer a wonderful avenue for novice and seasoned collectors alike. Whether displayed as solitary statement [...]

Birds and Animal Art Botanical Art Information

An Obsession with Natural History and Victorian Collecting Crazes

April 17, 2024

Spanning the majority of the 19th century, the Victorian era was marked by a rise in fashionable collecting hobbies. Natural history objects were among the [...]

Detail of Besler Pl. 103, Corallina peony, Lady’s-mantle, Sanicle

Botanical Art Information

How to Distinguish Between the Various Editions of Besler’s ‘Garden of Eichstätt’

July 29, 2023

A practical guide to understanding and identifying the different editions of Besler’s folio through paper types and material characteristics.

Botanical Art

Plant Mutations in the Botanical Prints of Pierre-Joseph Redouté

June 22, 2023

A consideration of the artistic rendering of the Tulip Breaking Virus, and the phenomenon of Rose Perfoliation in Redouté's prints

Botanical Art

Encountering the Amazon through Margaret Mee’s Lens

June 21, 2023

A consideration of Mee's implicit and overt depictions of symbiotic ecosystems in her paintings of the Amazon Rainforest

Weight	1 lbs
Dimensions	21.625 × 14 × 0.125 in
Artist	Maria Sibylia Merian
Publication Title	Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium 1726 Edition
Type of Artwork	Oppenheimer Editions
Medium	Hand-colored Engraving
Creation Date	1726
Subject	Botanicals, Insects

Joel Oppenheimer, Inc. is committed to providing our customers with original, antique natural history art of the finest quality. Below you will find the terms and conditions of doing business with us and what to expect when you purchase artwork from our company.

Authenticity of Artwork
Joel Oppenheimer Gallery guarantees the authenticity of every piece of artwork as described. If you have any questions about the authenticity or condition of a piece, please call us at 312-642-5300 or email us at [email protected].
Return Policy
We accept returns of artwork purchased on our website within 30 days of the purchase date. Artwork returned in the same condition it was sent in is eligible for a complete refund. If it has been longer than 30 days and you wish to make an exchange, please contact a sales representative at [email protected] to make arrangements.
Payment
When purchasing art on our website, payment will be due in full when processing the order through the online shopping cart. If you would like to discuss alternate payment options, please contact the gallery at 312-642-5300 or [email protected]
Condition
Every piece of artwork shipped from Joel Oppenheimer Gallery will be sent in good to excellent condition unless otherwise stated. Due to the depth of our inventory, some artwork may need to be conserved before it is shipped to you. This service is included with the purchase of every piece of antique artwork at Joel Oppenheimer, Inc. Original Audubon Octavos 1st Edition will be shipped in an archival rag board mat. Audubon 2nd edition Octavos are shipped as is.
Delivery
Unframed artwork is typically shipped within 2 - 10 business days of purchase. If an antique piece requires conservation before it is shipped, this typically adds 5 - 10 business days to the delivery time. Framed artwork purchased online typically ship within 10 - 15 business days of the purchase date. You will be contacted in 2 - 3 business days with an estimated ship date. If you require expedited processing of your order, please contact us at 312-642-5300 or [email protected] and we will do what we can to accommodate your time frame.