Anatomische afbeelding 1785

Robbert Muys made this anatomical drawing with pen in the late 18th century. During this period, anatomical studies and medical illustrations were crucial for advancing scientific knowledge. However, they also navigated complex social and ethical terrains, particularly concerning the use of bodies for dissection and study. Muys, situated within this context, produced an image that both informs and invites contemplation about the human form. Consider how the detached representation of the object reflects a broader societal view of the body as a subject of scientific inquiry, often removed from its personal and social context. What does it mean to reduce a part of the body to a diagram? This engraving prompts us to consider the relationship between scientific representation, the human body, and our own mortality.