Maria Sibylla Merian - St. Petersburger Aquarelle (Jubilumsausgabe)

Anniversary edition from Favoritenpresse. In 1719, Tsar Peter the Great traveled through Holland to acquire artworks for his first museum in St. Petersburg. During this journey, he became aware of Maria Sibylla Merian. He was so impressed by the unusual richness of colors and the fidelity to detail in her watercolors that he purchased them immediately. This demonstrated his good judgment, as Merian's publications of her watercolors and engravings, accompanied by her written observations, became a great success during her lifetime. Recent approaches in art and natural sciences have provided a comprehensive picture of the life and work of Maria Sibylla Merian, allowing us today to trace the history of a collection from the creation of its exhibits to the present day. The collection presented in this edition includes 50 full-page and 146 additional watercolors from the entire creative period of the artist. In addition to the striking illustration section 'Flowers, Plants and Caterpillars, Butterflies, Minerals and Fossils, Snails, Crabs, and Other Marine Animals,' the scientific comments on the sheets are of particular interest. With an introduction by art historian Dr. Elisabeth Klotz.