Rose with Metamorphosis of Leaf Roller and a Glued Beetle Larva after 1679

Maria Sibylla Merian made this watercolor of a rose with leaf roller and beetle larva, sometime in the late 17th or early 18th century. Merian was a remarkable figure, a woman who defied the social constraints of her time to pursue scientific observation and artistic expression. Working in the Dutch Republic and later Suriname, she combined the roles of naturalist, explorer, and artist. This image exemplifies her meticulous attention to detail, capturing the rose in various stages of bloom, alongside the insects that interact with it. Her decision to depict the entire life cycle of insects, rather than just isolated specimens, challenged conventional approaches to natural history illustration. It reflected a more holistic understanding of the natural world. Merian's work, fueled by her own observations and direct encounters, pushed against established hierarchies of knowledge production. To fully appreciate her contribution, we can consult her published writings and the records of the scientific networks in which she participated.