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MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN (1647-1717)
Provence Rose
c.1705?RCIN 921228
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.