In Search of MRS., Women & the Radical Art of Science and Botanical Illustrations at Arader Galleries in NYC

 

A Must-See New Exhibit-
In Search of MRS., 

Women & the Radical Art 
of Science and Botanical Illustration 

at Arader Galleries 

on the Upper East Side 

of New York City 

at 

1016 Madison Avenue

GIOVANNA GARZONI self portrait

"Giovanna Garzoni is best known as a painter of vivid and engaging still-life paintings, but she was also an influential figure in art as a scientific method, receiving commissions for herbals used in medicine and for compositions that served a new radical idea that art could be a health aid" -Arader Galleries

Cat. 2. Attributed to GIOVANNA GARZONI (ITALIAN, 1600-1670)

Still life with flowers in an elaborate vase

Tempera on vellum

$85,000.

GIOVANNA GARZONI

A Plate of Figs

Italian, circa 1662

 $1,200,000.

As the co-owner of a Women-owned, American made small textile company, I am partial to a good "women story" and this one is a great one. Today, I popped into one of my favorite spots for viewing art (in a gorgeous townhouse) on the Upper East Side at Arader Galleries (with an impressive collection of Audubons, Natural History Watercolors, Rare Maps, Rare Books & Assorted Americana) to see their new exhibit called, In Search of MRS.  I was truly overwhelmed (in a good way) with the beautiful array of art, many forgotten women artists some highlighted in an exibit for the first time.   

 

"The exhibit explores female painters of natural history subjects and their overlooked engagement with science. This is the first step in bridging the divide between the reputation these artists often earned in their lifetyime and the faulty discusson of their work based on limited resources in modern history" -Arader Gallery

 

MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN 

(German, 1647-1717)

Gallery Director, Alexandra walked me through the exhibit offering helpful tidbits and information keeping an emphasis on these women who were often previously referred to as simply "MRS" in the industry. Artists such as Maria Sibylta Merian are highlighted, a pioneer artist of her time who traveled to Suriname to discover and create works about rare and undiscovered species, insects and showcase their life cycle and contribution to the modern science of ecology. Sibylla's daughters were also accomplished artists, and their work is featured in the exhibit as well.  

Maria Sibylla was born in Frankfurt, Germany, on April 2, 1647, to the engraver and publisher Matthias Merian (1593-1650) and his second wife, Johanna Sibylla Heim. At the age of three, her father died, and one year later, her mother married the Dutch painter Jacob Marrel (1613-1681.) Marrel was a sought-after flower painter who taught his young stepdaughter to paint in watercolors. Maria early training granted her access to Marrel’s art col- lection, which included paintings by Anthony van Dyck, Titian, Gerrit van Honthorst, and Jan Davidsz. de Heem. Thus providing in-house source material on subjects beyond natural history. 

"Artists like Maria Sibylla Merian were driven to create out of genuine scientific curiosity. She made a living creating works that combined budding scientific investigation with contemporary collecting of exotics. Maria was also a savvy entrepreneur, creating commissions tailored to a ready market and selling species of plants, animals, shells, and birds in the publication of her famed Metamorphosis. Her iconic works are emblematic of the period’s fascination with science and art. Merian was not the only woman in scientific experimentation. However, she is currently the most well-known due to her remarkable foresight in self-publishing her work, ensuring her pioneering work influenced science for centuries." - Arader Galleries

Please check out snippets from the show below, and I only feature some of the beautiful exhibit, so please head on over to this incredible array of women art this summer!  

note- Catalogue images below by Alison Petretti for Arader Galleries, 2024. Cover design and photography by Alexandra Scarangella. Contributions by Madeline Bashant, Mike Foley and Jonah Rosenberg. Cover image:Priscilla Susan Falkner Bury (British, 1799–1872) Amaryllis Crocata. Papilia Nestor. Brazil. P.S. Falkner, [5th February],1826.

It's exciting to  note the Arader gallery is hosting a Live Auction on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 1 pm EST.  During the auction many of their Selects works by Audubon will be deeply discounted, and it's a rare opportunity to own a piece of historic Americana. To order a catalog, email auctions@aradernyc.com

some favorites at the exhibit...

cat. 20

MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN 

Plantain and Caligo teucer from the insects of Surinam

watercolor and bodycolor with gum arabic over lightly etched outlines on paper 

Amerstand, 1705

$16,000.

Cat. 7

MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN 

Study of a tulip, two crocus and two insects

Black lead, pen adn black ink, watercolor and bodycolor with gilt framing lines on vellum.  $190,000.

Cat. 9 

MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN 

A Northern Lapwing

Watercolor and gouache on vellum

$150,000.

Cat. 4. 

MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN (GERMAN, 1647-1717)

Study of a Tulip, Two Shells and Flowers

Black lead, pen and black ink, watercolor, and bodycolor with gilt framing lines on vellum

$190,000.

Cat. 16

MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN 

Papaya from the Insects of Surinman

watercolor and bodycolor with gum arabic overly lightly etched outlines on paper

Amsterdam, 1705

$12,000

Cat 17

MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN 

The Pineapple Fruit from the Insects of Suriname

Watercolor and bodycolor with gum arabic over lightly etched outlines on paper 

Amersterdam, 1705

$25,000

Cat 18.

MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN 

White Batata.  Large Horned Beetle and Sweet Potato

from the Insects of Surinam

Watercolor and bodycolor with gum arabic overly lightly etched outlines on paper. Highlighted with gold. 

$9,000

Cat. 22. 

MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN 

American Grapes and Green Hawkmoth” from The Insects of Surinam Watercolor and bodycolor with gum arabic over lightly etched  $18,000

MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN  daughter...

Cat. 15

JOHANNA HELENA HEROLT  (1668-1723)

Iris germanica L. hybrid

Watercolor and bodycolor on vellum

circa 1720

$18,000

Cat. 14

JOHANNA HELENA HEROLT 

A Crown Imperial, A Hyacinth and Bluebell with a Chrysalis, A Caterpillar and an Insect Watercolor and gouache on vellum 

$45,000

Cat. 13

JOHANNA HELENA HEROLT 

Amsterdam circa 1691-1711

Annulated sowbread & Alpine sowbread Cyclamen and Dog's Tooth Violet (with a Caterpillar, Chrysalis and Moth).  Watercolor and gouache on vellum Amsterdam, circa 1691-1711

$35,000

Happy Nesting

XO Tamara