Merian had been taught to paint flowers by her step-father Jacob Marrel, and her first publication was a book of flower compositions (Neues Blumenbuch, or New Flower Book, 1675 – 80), which were intended as models for women to use in sewing and painting. She depicted the Provence Rose (Rosa centifolia) a number of times during her career, both as a book illustration and as a gift for friends.