In Pursuit of Knowledge (Ode to Maria Merian)

Title | IN THE PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE (ODE TO MARIA MERIAN) Type | Original 3D Papercut Cyanotype
Inspiration | Maria Sybilla Merian
Year | 2024

Materials | 3d papercut cyanotype, handmade paper 11.5in x 13.7in x 1.6in

Inspiration-

This artwork was inspired by Maria Sibylla Merian, a pioneer in art, science, and business.

From an early age Merian was an accomplished painter of flowers and insects and an entomologist, possessing a great ability to move between art and science. Fusing artistic endeavour and nature observation, her fascinating paintings defied Victorian categorisation. They are a fitting monument to such an unusual figure whose life, too, was a blaze of colour making her one of the greatest artist‐naturalists of her time.

Technique-

In The Pursuit Of Knowledge (Ode To Maria Merian) was created by constructing a hand-cut collage using female photographic portraiture and photograms and photographs of flower specimens, silk moths and cocoons.

After coating the handmade paper and watercolour sheets with light-sensitive chemistry, they are left to dry in a dark room. The large-scale negatives are contact printed onto the paper by exposure to daylight (UV rays). The prints are then processed by thoroughly washing in water to remove any unexposed solution. It can then be hung to dry, developing to full density Prussian blue after 24 hours. Once dried all the pieces are cut out and collaged together.

Dimensions

Framed: 11.5in x 13.7in x 1.6in

Paper

Handmade recycled cotton rag paper:
150gsm / 100% Cotton Rag / Recycled / Acid Free / Medium Rough

Mount

We use float mounting for all of our framed cyanotypes. The artwork floats above a snow-white 8001 mount board, to showcase the paper texture and deckled edging.

Framing

Framed artwork will arrive ready to hang.
Each frame is handmade by our London based design team.

All frames come with gallery spec, 3mm thick Artglass AR70 / 3mm anti-reflective/ 79% UV protected glazing as standard.