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Half height banner for Maria Merian exhibition, showing a butterfly
This exhibition is in the past. View our current exhibitions.
MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN (1647-1717)

Confederate Rose with Androgeus Swallowtail Butterfly

1702-03

RCIN 921186

The petals of the Confederate Rose (Hibiscus mutabilis) change colour during the day and Merian represents the transition from white to pink in her illustration. Merian shows both the male (at bottom) and female (at top) form of the butterfly, which are distinct in appearance, noting that both emerged from the same type of caterpillar.

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