Short Description
The Museum Wiesbaden, Hessian State Museum for Art and Nature, has the only known taxidermy from the hands of Maria Sibylla Merian (1647–1717).
This artist and natural scientist, who grew up in Frankfurt and worked in Amsterdam for the second half of her life, belongs to the circle of those who have clearly shaped our current view of the world in Western societies in the course of the Enlightenment. With her talents and interests, she embodies a unity of art and science that can hardly be found anywhere else. The focus is on the acquisition of knowledge on the basis of one’s own observation, own description and interpretation. Even today, these are basic prerequisites for scientific action.
The prize will be awarded every two years from 2025.
Eligibility
The common origin of art and natural science lies in the observation and description of nature. The Museum Wiesbaden places special emphasis on these two aspects of a worldview that promotes creativity and knowledge through personal discovery. Especially in today’s times, this offers a chance for a more respectful approach to our environment: Those who explore things will not destroy them.
Maria Sibylla Merian stands like no other for the scientific and artistic engagement with her environment, combined with deeper insight. She is therefore the ideal patron for this prize. The award aims to promote knowledge and creativity and to raise awareness of the pressing issues of our time.
If you are an emerging artist working on a topic that particularly unites these ideas and plan to document your artistic work in the near future, we invite you to apply. The prize money is intended to realize a corresponding publication.
How to Apply
Applications should be addressed to the Directorate of the Museum Wiesbaden at: direktion@museumwiesbaden.de
Program Benefits & Awards
The Maria Sibylla Merian Prize with prize money of € 15,000.00 is aimed at aspiring artists and Female scientists. € 7,500.00 each is available for the realization of a printed work that is attention.
Entry Fee
None
Location
Wiesbaden, Germany
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 31 August 2025
Website Link: https://museum-wiesbaden.de/merianpreis
