MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN (1647-1717)
Branch of Sour Guava with Melantho Tigerwing Butterfly and Flannel Moth
1702-03RCIN 921173
A comparison between the plates of the published Metamorphosis and the luxury versions on vellum shows how Merian was able to change the position of the insects on the vellum sheets to make them independent works of art. Here, she has changed the position of the Melantho Tigerwing Butterfly (Xanthocleis psidii, in flight) and the green fly at the top of the picture.