Ive been delving into research for my new series of paintings and I came across some fascinating stories of female Botanists and Illustrators. Back in the 1600s, it was a mans world, especially the study of science, but there were these fierce women like Maria Sibylla Merian and Jeanne Baret. Maria Merian was a renowned Dutch widow who ventured into the jungles and islands of the South Pacific to illustrate plants. Later, she was honored by being on the Dutch currency. Jeanne Baret had disguised herself as a eunuch so she could sail around the world on a French Navy vessel while she documented medicinal plants. I think about these brave women, who loved drawing plants so much, who loved exploring, who braved disease and harm to paint a simple flower.
Posted on: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 20:30:09 +0000
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