Convolvulus and Metamorphosis of the Convolvulus Hawk Moth
Medium
watercolor with touches of opaque watercolor over indications in black chalk or graphite on vellum
Dimensions
image: 28.9 × 37.2 cm · support: 41 × 54.7 × 0.2 cm
Classification
Drawing
Department
Drawings
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
John L. Severance Fund
Accession Number
2019.9
Tags
About this artwork
The artist Maria Sibylla Merian was one of the most important entomologists of the 17th century. Her studies of caterpillars, which she reared herself, contributed to knowledge of the life cycles of numerous species. Trained as a miniature painter by her stepfather, she combined her artistic talent with her scientific interest, creating images such as this one, which portrays the life cycle of the European pink-spotted hawk moth as well as its favorite food, the morning glory. Merian added addit...