Minneapolis Institute of Art

Citrus Fruit and Beetle

After Maria Sibylla Merian; Engraver: Joseph Mulder

Date

1705–71

Medium

Hand-colored etching and engraving

Department

European Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

This large citron, Citrus medica (Linnaeus), grows as a shrub or tree to about twelve feet tall and was introduced to South America during the sixteenth or seventeenth centuries. Merian commented They are candied; in Holland they are baked in gingerbread. The colorful insect is the Harlequin beetle, a species found from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. Merian admired it very much, saying; The beautiful black beetle decorated with red and yellow flecks shown resting on the fruit was added on account of its rarity to complete and decorate the engraving, although I do not know its origin; I gladly leave it to others to investigate this creature further. Netherlands, Europe

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