Maria Sibylla Merian plants and insects books

Books by Maria Sibylla Merian: A Detailed Overview

Maria Sibylla Merian’s books reflect her unique artistry and scientific precision. During her time, books were sold as unbound sheets, giving buyers the option to customize their copies, including whether they wanted them hand-colored. Most of her works were engraved on copper plates, and some editions used a special counterproof technique, making each copy distinct. Below is a detailed but concise summary of her major works.

# 1675–1680: Blumenbuch (Book of Flowers)

Merian’s first publication, Blumenbuch, consisted of three parts published over five years. Each part contained 12 plates showcasing floral designs.

- Part I (1675): Florum Fasciculus Primus

- Part II (1677): Florum Fasciculus Alter

- Part III (1680): Florum Fasciculus Tertius

In 1680, Merian published a second edition titled Neues Blumenbuch (New Book of Flowers), combining all three parts. The Latin title was replaced with German to appeal to a broader audience, and a preface was added. Buyers could purchase all three parts together or just the third part if they already owned the earlier volumes. This edition also remained unbound, which led to differences in how plates were arranged in surviving copies.

# 1679–1717: Der Raupen wunderbare Verwandelung und sonderbare Blumennahrung (Caterpillar Books)

Merian’s Raupen series highlighted insect metamorphosis and their ecological relationships with plants. Each volume contained 50 plates, accompanied by detailed German text.

- Part I (1679): Published in Nuremberg, featuring caterpillars and plants.

- Part II (1683): Released in Frankfurt with a different printer.

- Part III (1717): Published posthumously by Merian’s daughter Dorothea.

Unlike the earlier volumes, the text was in Dutch and more concise, focusing mainly on descriptions of insects and plants. Merian also sold both uncolored and hand-colored copies of the series, and some editions used counterproof printing techniques.

# 1705: Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium (Transformations of the Insects of Suriname)

This monumental work documented Merian’s observations from her expedition to Suriname. It included 60 plates illustrating tropical insects, plants, and their interactions. The book was published in Latin and Dutch, with uncolored and hand-colored versions available. A lack of subscriptions prevented a German edition and a planned second volume on reptiles and amphibians.

The book’s subscription price was 15 florins for an uncolored copy and 45 florins for a hand-colored version. Merian continued to sell copies years after its release, and approximately 70 copies in varying formats survive today.

# Posthumous Editions and Other Works

- 1712: Dutch editions of the first two Raupen volumes.

- 1718: Latin edition of the Raupen series (Erucarum Ortus), with illustrations separated from the text.

- 1719–1771: Several editions of Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium were published, some with 12 additional plates featuring reptiles and amphibians, reflecting Merian’s unrealized plans for a second volume.

Other publishers repurposed Merian’s plates for new editions. In 1730, the Amsterdam publisher Jean Frederic Bernard issued Histoire des insectes de L’Europe, using plates from the Blumenbuch and Raupen series.

Merian’s works are celebrated for their scientific accuracy and artistic beauty, bridging the gap between art and natural history. Her publications remain influential, offering valuable insights into the flora and fauna of her time.

Source: the Maria Sibylla Merian society / https://www.themariasibyllameriansociety.humanities.uva.nl/