Customer Reviews

Maria Sibylla Merian: The New Book of Flowers (Prestel Art)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I couldn't resist this book because I simply like to look at beautiful things - the prints of flowers & insects are exquisite. I like the manageable shape & size of this book, as well as the texture of the paper (very good quality for such a modestly priced book.) Best surprise however, was the information about Maria Sibylla Merian provided at the back of the book - she was a fascinating woman: artist, explorer, botanist, publisher, designer & teacher of embroidery, and provider for her family. I intend to collect more books of her work.

my wife and i got this volume because we like her work, but were disappointed when it arrived because although the format and care with the reproductions in the book is very good, it does not represent the Merian work that we appreciate. this is what can happen when you have to buy a book sight unseen and the "look inside this book" doesn't offer any interior images. we like her later work and will continue to look for reproductions of that work.

This book is a great source for crafters or artists. There are numerous illustrations of great quality. I bought two -- one to cut up and one to keep!

This simple book cannot be underestimated for its importance: it is the first work by this famous woman who's biographies tell her amazing tale. While Merian did copy the work of others--commonly done at the time--it nonetheless shows her hand in both illustration and colorization of each of her woodblock prints. It makes a simple but wonderful gift, and a wonderful statement to the recipient. And if you like pastels, this is the book for you!