Maria Sibylla Merian was a German naturalist and scientific illustrator. She is considered by none other than David Attenborough to be among the most significant contributors to the field of entomology, because of her careful observations and documentation of the metamorphosis of the butterfly. In 1705, Merian published Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, for which she became famous. No more than 30 copies of this masterwork are left worldwide. In 2017, it will be 300 years since Maria Sibylla Merian passed away. To mark this occasion, a facsimile of Merian's highly successful book will be released. A must-have for any lover of natural history. Modern readers will at last be able to see with their own eyes how detailed and colourful Merian's magnificent work was. The book includes a comprehensive introduction and background information by renowned historians and biologists.

Also included is a foreword by Merian specialist Redmond O'Hanlon, a biographical introduction by art historian Dr. Ella Reitsman. Dr. Kay Etheridge, professor biology at Gettysburg College discusses the meaning of Merian's work for biology and Dr. Bert van de Roemer talks about the historical context.