Attributed to Attributed to Johanna Helena Herolt

Herolt, Maria Sibylla Merian’s eldest daughter, was also a talented artist. She often collaborated with her mother and worked in a similar style, which can make it difficult to distinguish between the two women’s drawings. In this sheet, which brings together the plant and animal kingdoms, mice are depicted nibbling on nuts and acorns. Although the three scenes are completely discrete, the dynamic composition imbues the image with a narrative quality. The white mouse gazes directly at the viewer, which creates a sense of engagement unusual for a scientific illustration.