Vijf aanzichten van onbekende mannen met musculaire atrofie before 1901

This is a lithograph that presents five studies of men suffering from muscular atrophy. The use of monochrome draws our attention to the tonality of the skin and the texture of the images. The arrangement of the figures on the page and the stark contrast between figure and ground invites a close inspection of the body as a sign. In semiotic terms, each pose and anatomical detail operates as a signifier, pointing to the signified condition of muscular atrophy. This lithograph transcends mere representation; it engages with broader themes of health, visibility, and perhaps, the aestheticization of medical conditions. The structural presentation of these images challenges our gaze, prompting reflection on how we interpret visual cues related to the human body. The graphic quality of the lithograph serves not only as an aesthetic choice but as a functional one, emphasizing details crucial for medical observation. It reminds us that art can be a site where scientific, aesthetic, and cultural interpretations intersect.