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The first great challenge to Galenic orthodoxy in the description of the human body came with Andreas Vesalius, described by Garrison as the ‘most commanding figure in European medicine after Galen and before Harvey’. At fifteen Vesalius enrolled at the University of Louvain to study the liberal arts, traveling in 1533 to Paris to pursue the study of medicine and anatomy under Jacobus Sylvius and Johann Guinther, both exponents of the Galenic school. In the preface of the De humani corporis fabrica, he states that during his studies at Paris he had himself dissected a corpse in the presence of undergraduates. Owing to the war between France and the forces of the Emperor, he was obliged to leave France, and returned to Louvain where he conducted an anatomical demonstration before the medical and other faculties. Vesalius completed his medical training at Padua, where in 1537, after due examination, he was appointed as teacher in surgery and anatomy, a position he held until 1544. For the benefit of his students and at their request, these six plates constitute Vesalius’ first anatomical publication, and set a new standard in anatomical illustration. Only two complete sets of the original edition exist, one in the Bibliotheca Nazionale Marciana, and the copy on display, which was presented to the Hunterian Museum by Sir John Stirling Maxwell. The three sketches of the vascular system below were made by Vesalius himself. However, despite their artistic quality, they still belong essentially to the old Anatomy showing the five lobed liver, the venous system arising from the liver, the long protruding coccyx of the ape, etc.
Click on thumbnails for larger images.
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Tabulae Anatomicae Sex |
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Tabulae anatomicae sex. Venetiis, B. Vitalis Venetus sumptibus Ioannis Stephani Calcarensis, 1538. [Az.1.10] |
Tabulae anatomicae sex. Venetiis, B. Vitalis Venetus sumptibus Ioannis Stephani Calcarensis, 1538. [Az.1.10] |
Tabulae anatomicae sex. Venetiis, B. Vitalis Venetus sumptibus Ioannis Stephani Calcarensis, 1538. [Az.1.10] |
| These sketches below of the skeleton were made under Vesalius’ direction by Joannes Stephanus of Calcar and were based upon his first dissection at Padua as a professional anatomist. |
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Tabulae anatomicae sex. Venetiis, B. Vitalis Venetus sumptibus Ioannis Stephani Calcarensis, 1538. [Az.1.10] |
Tabulae anatomicae sex. Venetiis, B. Vitalis Venetus sumptibus Ioannis Stephani Calcarensis, 1538. [Az.1.10] |
Tabulae anatomicae sex. Venetiis, B. Vitalis Venetus sumptibus Ioannis Stephani Calcarensis, 1538. [Az.1.10] |
De Humani Corporis Fabrica Libri
Septem
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Vesalius’ major work published at Basle by Joannes Oporinus, a noted humanist, is a landmark in scientific investigation, being one of the first works to display a thoroughgoing commitment to empirical observation combined with accurate descriptive illustrations. The woodcuts, some as large as 35x24 cm, were cut onto blocks of pearwood from drawings which may have emanated from the atelier of Titian, Tiziano Vecelli (c.1485-1576) whose influence dominated Venice during the time of Vesalius’ stay there. |
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Open at the first illustrations of the
muscular system, commonly referred to as ‘muscle-men’, which present
progressively deeper dissections, first from the front and then from
behind. In general this plate accurately displays the muscle morphology
with such muscles as the pectoralis major (L) and the tibialis anterior
(Z) being easily recognisable
De humani corporis fabrica libri septem. |
De Humani Corporis Fabrica Librorum
Epitome
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| The epitome appeared in the same month (June) as the Fabrica, but probably after it. It was intended as a brief and simple introduction to the more encyclopaedic Fabrica. If you would like to learn more about the Epitome it is the Book of the Month for September 2002. You can view it by clicking here. |
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Folio 8r showing the first and second layers of muscles from the Epitome of Vesalius, Basel, 1543. [Ce.1.18] |
The figure on the left is similar to the first ‘muscle-man’of the Fabrica, but his left hand side shows more outer muscles removed. The right hand illustration is one of the most famous Vesalian poses, at once a relatively accurate depiction of the whole skeleton in contemplative pose, and a memento mori. De humani corporis fabrica librorum
epitome. |
Folio 9v from the Epitome of Vesalius, Basel, 1543. [Ce.1.18] |
