Lecture at the Getty: Maria Sibylla Merian

bugman

August 14th, 2008 at 12:00 am

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Daniel,
Now that I am back in New Hampshire, I am still basking in the memory of my trip to California. On July 18, when I checked your website to research a Fritillary butterfly and send you a picture to confirm it, I saw your announcement that you were giving a lecture on the Maria Sibylla Merian exhibit at the Getty Museum in LA on July 25. What a great coincidence that I was flying to Los Angeles on July 22 to visit my daughter and son-in-law. I was delighted that you answered my email, and told me to introduce myself if I came to the Getty lecture. You know the rest of the story. They brought me to the Getty so we could attend your lecture. Wow!! What an exciting experience! Your "Point of View" lecture was most interesting–telling us about Merian’s life in the 1600’s, and her beautiful watercolors of insects and flowers–as we walked through the exhibit. As you said: "It was beautiful and well worth seeing." We had never been to the Getty before so I’m so glad to have had the opportunity to see it too. We went back a second time to see more. And, of course, I was lucky enough to meet the "bugman," and to top it off, you were kind enough to have your photo taken with me.
Your faithful fan, Mary Goode
Hillsborough, NH

Hi Mary,
It was so wonderful meeting you and your family. The Merian lecture was one of my best experiences this summer, and I am thrilled that you enjoyed it. Whenever I am asked how the lecture went, I launch into the account of answering your letter and meeting you. It reinforces our claim that What’s That Bug? is trying to develop a global sense of community. Please continue to write when you have interesting new photos or just for the sake of writing.
Daniel