nybg:

Botany nerds might catch the inspiration behind April 2nd’s Google doodle! Born on this day in 1647, Maria Sibylla Merian proved one of history’s greatest botanical illustrators, not to mention a leading mind in the early days of entomology and naturalist pursuits on the whole.

We’ve covered Merian’s work in a few previous Tumbls, but seeing as this day gives carte blanche for botanical illustration parties the world over (yep—absolutely, definitely a real phenomenon), some artwork couldn’t hurt.

These illustrations, most of them held in the NYBG’s Library archive, are pulled from the artist’s Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium. Color images are provided by the Smithsonian via the growing (and totally perusable) Biodiversity Heritage Library.

So happy birthday, Maria! Oh, and good lookin’ out, Google. —MN