What is the Dutch 'Der Raupen wunderbare Verwandlung und sonderbare Blumennahrung' in English?

Answer 1

The Caterpillar, Marvelous Transformation and Strange Floral Food is an English equivalent of 'Der Raupen wunderbare Verwandlung und sonderbare Blumennahrung'.

The phrase is the title of a book by Maria Sibylla Merian [April 2, 1647-January 13, 1717]. It was Merian's second published book. Her first book, 'Neues Blumenbuch', was published four years earlier, in 1675.

Merian was born in Frankfurt, Germany. But the observations of flowers and of caterpillars that went into each of the books were made after her move to Nuremberg. Both showcased the considerable talents that Merian may have inherited from her father, Swiss engraver and publisher Matthäus Merian der Ältere [Matthew Merian the Elder, or Sr, September 22, 1593-June 19, 1650]. Merian's talents were encouraged in their beautifully developed expression by her stepfather, still life painter Jacob Marrel [1614-1681].

Merian's talents served her well in her pursuit of a career as a naturalist and scientific illustrator. For example, she wrote and illustrated the first book on Suriname'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 her illustrations, go to http://home.wtal.de/hh/merian/suribuch/mseng.htm