Maria Sibylla Merian
Maria Sibylla Merian (April 2, 1647 - January 13, 1717) was a German naturalist, explorer, and artist renowned for her groundbreaking observations on the metamorphosis of insects. At a time when it was widely believed that insects arose through spontaneous generation, Merian meticulously documented the life cycles of butterflies, moths, and other insects, demonstrating they emerged from eggs and passed through distinct stages. Her most influential work, Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium, resulted from a scientific expedition to Suriname in 1699, making her one of the first women to conduct field research in the history of science. Her detailed illustrations and observations laid the foundation for modern entomology.
Quotes
- Art and nature shall always be wrestling until they eventually conquer one another so that the victory is the stroke and line.