Sibylle Mertens-Schaaffhausen (29 January 1797 – 22 October 1857) was a German art collector and musician who became significant due in part to interest in archaeology.
[1] She became notable for knowledge of gems and coins and was invited to scientific meetings in Rome.
Annette von Droste-Hülshoff, a writer from her salon and close friend, called it an 'Ehehölle', "marital hell".
Although it is suggested that her relationship to women extended to nothing more than "loyal friendships",[4] there is strong evidence that she was a lesbian,[citation needed] something she could not express in public.
The intimate entries in her diary, which she left to her long time lover Laurina Spinola, are testimony to this.