- 22
Merian, Maria Sibylla.
Estimate
35,000 - 40,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Histoire générale des insectes de Surinam et de toute l'Europe... Troisième édition revue, corrigée et considérablement augmentée par M. Buch'oz... à laquelle on a joint une troisième partie qui traite des plus belles fleurs… Tome premier, des plantes de Surinam. Paris: Chez L.C. Desnos, 1771
- paper
Folio (497 x 330mm.), engraved hand-coloured additional allegorical title dated 1768, 72 hand-coloured engraved plates, one folding, by J. Mulder, P. Sluyter and A. Stopendaal, all after Merian, each with the French names of the plants depicted added to image area, later diced russia gilt in antique style, [cf. Blunt (1994) pp.142-145; cf. Dunthorne 205; cf. Great Flower Books (1990) p.119; cf. Hunt 467 and 524; cf. Nissen BBI 1341]
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
A fine hand-coloured copy of the complete series of “Surinam” plates.
The impetus to produce the present plates came when, having left her husband, Merian was shown a collection of tropical insects from Surinam. This inspired her, and, together with her daughter Dorothea, she embarked on a remarkably enterprising journey. They arrived in South America in late summer 1699 and stayed until June 1701 studying and recording plants and insects. The result of their labours, the magnificent Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium, with 60 plates, was published in 1705. Later editions, including the present issue, were extended to include an additional twelve plates by Maria's eldest daughter Johanna. Peter Dance writes of the work, that it was “easily the most magnificent work on insects so far produced... [combining] science and art in equal proportions... Her portrayals of living insects and other animals were imbued with a charm, a minuteness of observation and artistic sensibility that had not previously been seen in a natural history book” (The Art of Natural History).
The impetus to produce the present plates came when, having left her husband, Merian was shown a collection of tropical insects from Surinam. This inspired her, and, together with her daughter Dorothea, she embarked on a remarkably enterprising journey. They arrived in South America in late summer 1699 and stayed until June 1701 studying and recording plants and insects. The result of their labours, the magnificent Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium, with 60 plates, was published in 1705. Later editions, including the present issue, were extended to include an additional twelve plates by Maria's eldest daughter Johanna. Peter Dance writes of the work, that it was “easily the most magnificent work on insects so far produced... [combining] science and art in equal proportions... Her portrayals of living insects and other animals were imbued with a charm, a minuteness of observation and artistic sensibility that had not previously been seen in a natural history book” (The Art of Natural History).