Plantae et Papiliones rariores: Martynia
1748
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1748
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This painting shows a rare martynia plant with big green leaves and a pink-and-white trumpet-shaped flower. A brown butterfly rests on the petals. Tiny details like the butterfly’s spots and leaf veins make it feel alive. Ehret worked closely with scientists in the 1700s. He balanced art and science—his drawings were pretty but also accurate. This helped name and study new plants. It lives at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
