MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN (1647-1717)
Ripe Pineapple with Dido Longwing Butterfly
1702-03RCIN 921154
Merian depicts the metamorphosis of the elegant Dido Longwing (Philaethria dido) on a ripe pineapple, which she described as having an ‘unsurpassable flavour’. Although she had undoubtedly seen pineapples in Europe, this was the first time she had tasted one, and she warned her readers that the hairs on the fruit could make eating it a painful experience.