Anatomische studie van de darmen en de buik van een zwangere vrouw 1685

This is Pieter van Gunst's anatomical study of the intestines and abdomen of a pregnant woman, made with etching and burin. Produced in the Netherlands around the turn of the 18th century, this image reflects the growing scientific curiosity of the age. The Dutch Republic was a centre for medical research, and anatomical studies like this one were crucial for advancing medical knowledge. It is interesting to think about the politics of such imagery at this time. The pregnant female body was opened up for public consumption in a way that raises ethical questions for us today. It is important to consider who had access to these images, what was considered appropriate, and how they were used in medical education. To understand such images better, we need to examine the medical and artistic institutions of the time, and consider the social conditions that shaped their production. By doing so, we gain a deeper understanding of both the art and the society that produced it.