The Travels of Maria Sibylla Merian

Exploring Suriname

Imagine the 17th century: a world of powdered wigs, opulent courts, and the early stirrings of scientific inquiry. Now, picture a spirited and determined woman, armed with a paintbrush, a magnifying glass, and an insatiable curiosity. 

This woman is Maria Sibylla Merian, a pioneering entomologist, naturalist, and artist who defied the conventions of her time. While most women of her era were confined to domestic life, Maria embarked on a journey that would take her from the sophisticated salons of Europe to the steamy, unexplored jungles of Suriname in South America. 

Born in 1647 into a family of artists and publishers in Frankfurt, Germany, Maria’s fascination with the natural world began at a young age. She meticulously observed and documented the life cycles of insects, particularly captivated by the metamorphosis of caterpillars into butterflies. This early interest laid the groundwork for a career that would blend scientific rigor with artistic brilliance.