Maria Sibylla Merian, Inflorescence of Banana, 1705

Reproduction Print - Inflorescence of Banana, 1705

Details

• Medium:      Print
• Material:      Paper
• Rarity:          Reproduction
• Dimensions: 18,0 cm x 25,0 cm (7.00 x 10.00 inches)

Maria Sibylla Merian is widely known for her botanical and entomological illustrations, but her most famous works come from Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium (1705), which documented the life cycles of insects alongside the plants they depended on.

Is the Banana Plant Her Most Famous Illustration?

• The Banana Plant Illustration (Musa species) is indeed one of her most recognized and celebrated works.
• It features a banana tree with large green leaves and hanging fruit, along with insects like butterflies, caterpillars, and beetles, showcasing Merian’s signature approach of depicting flora and fauna together.
• This image stands out because bananas were an exotic subject for European audiences at the time, making it a striking representation of Suriname’s tropical ecosystem.