Anatomische studie van menselijke huid en nagel 1737

This is a study of human skin and nail, made by Jan L'Admiral. It presents a stark examination of surfaces, each square or curve revealing a different facet of our corporeal existence. The square, a dominant motif, has long been associated with the earthly and the material. Yet, here, the skin's delicate texture disrupts the square’s implied stability, injecting a sense of vulnerability and decay. Consider the flayed skin of Saint Bartholomew, often depicted as a symbol of mortality and the transient nature of the flesh. The presentation of the nail, too, is far from mundane. It evokes images of growth, protection, and even the instruments of torture found in depictions of crucifixion scenes, where nails are laden with symbolic and emotional weight. These motifs are not static; they evolve, echoing through time, connecting our present to primal fears and ancient symbols. This is not merely a study of anatomy; it is an exploration of the emotional and psychological echoes that resonate within the human form.