*Neues Blumenbuch*, her first published work, establishes Merian as a professional artist.
In 1675, Maria Sibylla Merian published her first book, *Neues Blumenbuch* (New Book of Flowers) in Nuremberg. This florilegium consisted of three volumes that detailed various flowers, carefully rendered with her signature delicate artistry and attention to botanical details. This publication marked her entry into the world of professional art and set the tone for her later scientific explorations.
This event is significant as it laid the foundation for her reputation as an accomplished artist and was one of the earliest instances of a woman self-publishing a book in the 17th century. It helped establish her amongst her contemporaries as both an artist and a budding scientist. Neues Blumenbuch was a stepping stone in breaking gender barriers in the predominantly male-dominated fields of natural history and scientific illustration at the time.