Title
Authors
Meredith E. Brown '21, Gettysburg College
Document Type
Student Research Paper
Publication Date
Fall 2017
Department 1
Art
Abstract
During the Renaissance, collectors saw Morpho butterflies as beautiful, elegant, and rare creatures. Their exotic origin and sophistication made these fascinating creatures the subjects of scientific observation, decoration, and symbolism. Butterflies of the Morpho genus include a wide variety of marvelous, striking, and beautiful species. Home to South and Central America, Morpho butterflies thrive in the rainforests of Nicaragua, Colombia, and Venezuela. When Renaissance Europeans began exploring American rainforests, they were quickly captivated by these butterflies. Morphos feature vivid blue coloration and iridescence on the dorsal side of their wings as well as a yellow-brown coloration on the other side. [excerpt]
Streaming Media
Additional Streaming Media
Copyright Note
This is the author's version of the work. This publication appears in Gettysburg College's institutional repository by permission of the copyright owner for personal use, not for redistribution.
Recommended Citation
Brown, Meredith E., "Butterflies and Rebirth" (2017). Wonders of Nature and Artifice. 18.
https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/wonders_exhibit/18
Included in
Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Art and Architecture Commons, Fine Arts Commons, History of Science, Technology, and Medicine Commons, Industrial and Product Design Commons, Intellectual History Commons
Comments
Produced as part of a collaboration between Kay Etheridge's course FYS-188: Exploration of the Marvelous: Art and Science in the Renaissance, and Felicia Else's course ARTH 284: Wonders of Nature and Artifice: The Renaissance Quest for Knowledge.
Original version online at http://wonder-cabinet.sites.gettysburg.edu/2017/cabinet/morpho-butterflies/
Audio guides on the Morpho butterflies and Maria Sibylla Merian included.