Upcoming: Investigating Maria Sibylla Merian: Hilary Doyle

October 6 - November 3, 2026

  • Cactus Moon Studio is delighted to present Investigating Maria Sibylla Merian, an online solo exhibition by Massachusetts-based artist Hilary Doyle, inspired by the extraordinary life of 17th century German artist, naturalist and pioneering entomologist, Maria Sibylla Merian (1647 - 1717), opening on October 6, 2026.

     

    Over a series of evocative paintings, Doyle builds a fascinating, dream-like narrative of insights and reimagined moments in Merian's life, seductively rendered with references to Old Masters, from Fragonard to van Gogh. The focus here is Merian's life and voyage to the ten Dutch colony of Surinam, in 1699, informing years of deep research into the region's flora and fauna, much of it previously undocumented.

     
    To learn more about Investigating Maria Sibylla Merian please enquire via the link below:

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  • Hilary Doyle, b. 1985, Worcester, MA

    Hilary Doyle

    b. 1985, Worcester, MA

    Hilary Doyle is a painter, teacher, and curator from Worcester, MA. Doyle received an MFA from Rhode Island School of Design and a BFA from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She paints lost and imagined stories about women and mothers. Most recently she has been painting about artist, scientist, and mother of two from 300 years ago: Maria Sibylla Merian.

    Doyle’s exhibition history includes international group, two-person, and solo exhibitions. Most recently, she presented a solo exhibition at the Worcester Art Museum as part of their Central Massachusetts Artist Initiative (2025). Past solo exhibitions include Probably a Goddess at Dinner Gallery (New York, 2023) and On The Way to the Garden at Taymour Grahne Projects (London, 2022). Select group exhibitions include Hesse Flatow, Monya Rowe Gallery, and Mindy Solomon Gallery, as well as a two-person exhibition at Galerie LJ (Paris, 2024). Doyle has received press coverage in Art Scope Magazine, Two Coats of Paint, Hyperallergic and New American Paintings Blog.

    Doyle currently teaches at the College of the Holy Cross. Past teaching positions include Rhode Island School of Design, Brown University, and Purchase College. She co-founded NYC Crit Club in 2017, where she continues to teach and mentor artists. She recently served as Co-Director of Transmitter Gallery and continues to independently curate exhibitions.

    View the artist's CV here.