Blue Butterflies and Foliage, 1705-1771, After Maria Sibylla Merian; Engraver: Pieter Sluyter (Sluiter), German, 1647-1717, 13 1/4 x 8 1/2 in. (33.66 x 21.59 cm) (sheet), Hand-colored etching and engraving, Netherlands, 18th century, The butterfly shown resting and in flight is the Morpho menelaus (Linnaeus), a species Merian described as a '…most beautiful butterfly…looking like polished silver overlaid with the loveliest ultramarine, green and purple, and indescribably beautiful; its beauty cannot be rendered with the paint-brush.'
Keywords:
Blue Butterflies, Foliage, 1705-1771, Maria Sibylla Merian, Engraver, Pieter Sluyter, Sluiter, German, 1647-1717, sheet, Hand-colored etching, engraving, Netherlands, 18th century, butterfly shown resting, flight, Morpho menelaus, Linnaeus, species Merian described, … beautiful butterfly…looking, polished silver overlaid, loveliest ultramarine, green, purple, indescribably beautiful, beauty cannot, rendered, paint-brush.'
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