What is the German 'Neues Blumenbuch' in English?

Answer 1

New book of flowers is an English equivalent of 'Neues Blumenbuch'.

One of the most pleasing uses of the phrase is as the title of a publication by Maria Sibylla Merian [April 2, 1647-January 13, 1717]. Merian was born in Frankfurt, Germany. But the observations that went into her drawings were made while living in Nuremberg. The first edition of the book was sold in 1672, when Merian was 28.

With this book, and others on plants and insects, Merian developed an enduring reputation for herself as a naturalist and scientific illustrator. She was the daughter of Swiss engraver and publisher Matthäus Merian der Ältere [Matthew Merian the Elder or Sr, September 22, 1593-June 19, 1650]. She was the stepdaughter of still life painter Jacob Marrel [1614-1681]. The talents that she may have inherited from her father were encouraged in their beautifully expressive development by her stepfather.

For example, Merian wrote and illustrated the first book on Surinam's butterflies and insects, 'Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium', in 1705. The book's spectacular, detailed copperplate illustrations [19.7 inches x 13.8 inches in size] present the butterflies and insects with their favorite plants. Many of the tropical flora and fauna were completely unknown in Europe at that time.

To view some of Merian's illustrations, go to http://home.wtal.de/hh/merian/suribuch/mseng.htm