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Half height banner for Maria Merian exhibition, showing a butterfly
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MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN (1647-1717)

Coffee Senna with Split-Banded Owlet Butterfly

1702-03

RCIN 921188

Merian’s legacy is found not only in her influence on natural history illustration.  A number of species have been named after her, among them a large tegu lizard, Salvator merianae, and a European orb-weaver spider, Metellina merianae. The German entomologist Hans Stichel was among those inspired by Merian’s work. He gave this Split-Banded Owlet Butterfly the scientific name Opsiphanes cassina merianae in 1902, two hundred and two years after Merian, on 4 June 1700, had first watched the species emerge from its chrysalis in her Suriname garden.

    The income from your ticket contributes directly to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity. The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.