Anatomische studie van de bovenspieren van de arm (binnenkant) 1685

Pieter van Gunst created this anatomical study of the arm's inner muscles in the late 17th or early 18th century. The drawing confronts us with the stark reality of the body, depicted in detailed lines and subtle gradations of tone. The composition is structured by the pronounced verticality of the arm, contrasted against the more expansive shoulder muscles at the top. The artist masterfully uses line and shading to reveal the complex layering of muscle fibers, tendons and bone. This meticulous approach isn't just about scientific accuracy; it’s a study of form and structure. The drawing destabilizes our conventional understanding of the human figure, reducing it to a series of interconnected parts. This approach mirrors the broader intellectual currents of the time, which questioned established views on nature and the human body, and redefined them as complex systems of interconnected parts. Notice the clinical precision and the almost detached perspective. It invites us to consider the body not as a whole but as a constructed entity, open to dissection and analysis.