The artwork, titled “from Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium, Plate XLV,” was created by Maria Sibylla Merian in 1705. It belongs to the Naturalism art movement and falls under the genre of animal painting.
The artwork meticulously depicts the life stages of insects on a host plant. A prominent feature is a flowering branch with vibrant yellow blooms and detailed foliage. Upon closer observation, several stages of insect life are discernible: an intricate moth in flight, a green caterpillar winding up the stem, and a resting brown chrysalis on a leaf. Merian’s attention to detail and vibrant color usage vividly illustrates the natural world, combining scientific accuracy with artistic beauty. The composition exudes a sense of dynamic harmony between the plant and its insect inhabitants, underscoring the interconnectedness of nature.
