Maria Sibylla Merian Frankfurt-am-Main 1647 - 1717 Amsterdam

William Esdaile (L.2617);
Lord Bates Collection (according to Charles Bale's pencil inscription, verso);
Charles Sackville Bale, sale of his collection (14th day), London, Christie's, 9 June 1881, in lot 2371*

The watercolour is on vellum, laid down on an old, probably early 19th century, paper mount, which is inscribed on the verso with various information concerning provenance, and also with an exchange regarding whether or not the artist was ever a member of the Royal Academy. The watercolour is in good, fresh condition, and the colours do not seem faded. The surface of the vellum is lightly wrinkled overall, and a little dirty in places, but the general condition of the work is good. Sold in a modern frame (with glass on both sides, exposing the amusing inscriptions on the back of the mount).
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In terms of both her artistic and scientific achievements and her life story, Maria Sibylla Merian was one of the most remarkable figures in late 17^th-century Dutch art.  She made the drawings for a number of important natural history publications, most notably the Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium of 1705, and also undertook an extraordinary journey, together with her daughter, to Surinam in 1699-1701, to make observations and gather specimens of that exotic colony's flora and fauna.

The present, very well preserved drawing is extremely similar in conception to one of the sheets from the famous St. Petersburg albums of Merian watercolours,¹ works that are thought to date from shortly after 1700.

1. See Maria Sibylla Merian, exhibition catalogue, Haarlem, Teylers Museum, 1998, cat.no. 60, reproduced.