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WORKSHOP OF MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN (1647-1717)
Shoveler duck
c.1705?RCIN 921150
The unnatural pose suggests that the male Shoveler (Anas clypeata) which was the basis for this drawing was a stuffed specimen. This would also explain the mistake in the colouring of the bird’s eye, which should be yellow. Merian’s daughters probably made such drawings for sale to art collectors who were less interested in the scientific accuracy of their illustrations.