Drawing has always been an essential tool in biology for describing and recording the natural world. Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717) was one of the first naturalists who used her drawing skills to combine art with science while studying insects. She observed, documented and correctly illustrated insects in their natural setting. Her work ‘Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium’ remains an important document in the history of science. For many years, she and her works overlooked. Today, over 300 years later, there is renewed scientific and artistic interest in her work.