White Cyclamen, after 1691?

About the Work

As a businesswoman in Amsterdam from 1691 on, Merian lived in part from the sale of such striking flower drawings as this one. The motif of the white cyclamen was evidently in demand: there are two further versions of the drawing in other collections. The execution is of a high quality, but there is nevertheless still some doubt as to whether it is entirely from Merian’s own hand or was carried out with the assistance of her daughters, who were accordingly trained. The inscription was probably added by a hand other than the artist’s.