Banana Flower and Fruit, Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium – Maria Sibylla Merian (1705) – Botanical Canvas Print

Published in 1705, this luminous plate from Maria Sibylla Merian’s Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium captures the banana plant in vivid detail, accompanied by the insects that inhabit it. Merian’s work was groundbreaking for its time, documenting not only exotic flora from Suriname but also the life cycles of the insects intertwined with them: an approach that united botany and entomology within a single composition.

The towering banana flower and ripening fruit dominate the scene, rendered with rich color and careful observation. Around them, insects and caterpillars appear as integral participants in the ecosystem, reflecting Merian’s pioneering belief that plants and animals should be studied together rather than in isolation. Her delicate linework and balanced arrangement create a composition that feels both scientifically rigorous and artistically vibrant.

As one of the earliest female naturalists to travel and publish extensively, Merian left an enduring mark on the history of scientific illustration. This plate remains a striking example of early eighteenth-century natural history, where exploration, discovery, and artistic mastery converge.

 

🖨️ Print features:

– Sustainable canvas stretched on radial pine frame

– Unique canvas coating for top-notch image quality

– Soft rubber dots on bottom back corners for support

– Safe latex inks for non-toxic printing

– Back hanging included

– Inner frame made with radiata pine sourced from renewable forests

– Please note: Due to the production process of the canvases, please allow for slight size deviations with a tolerance +/- 1/8″ (3.2mm)

– Care instructions: If the canvas does gather any dust, you may wipe it off gently with a clean, damp cloth.

 

🚚 Fulfillment, Shipping, and Return Policy:

– Printed and shipped from the U.S.

– As our items are unique and made to order, we can only accept a return or exchange in the event that an item arrives damaged or misprinted. We cannot accept returns if you order the wrong size or change your mind. Any return requests must be made within 14 days of receiving the order.

 

💬 Questions? Looking for something else, or want something in a different size? Feel free to reach out anytime; we’ll see what we can do!