Grape Vine with Sphinx Moths

“When she was in Suriname, Merian was horrified to discover that, despite having an abundance of grapes, wine was imported from Europe,” Kate says.

“During her time in Suriname, which was a major sugar producer, Merian was considered an oddity. Not only were she and her daughter unaccompanied, they spent their time in the rainforest or tending plants and caterpillars in their garden. People laughed at Merian because she wasn’t interested in sugar production – only collecting and observing insects.”