Menselijke wervels 1877 - 1880

Jac van Looij created this drawing, titled 'Menselijke wervels' or 'Human Vertebrae,' during a period of increasing interest in scientific illustration. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw artists engaging with scientific disciplines, reflecting a broader cultural shift towards empirical observation and anatomical study. Van Looij, trained at the Rijksakademie, would have been well-versed in traditional artistic techniques. However, here he applies his skills to anatomical drawings. This piece stands as a testament to the human body but it is not without social implications. At the time the rise of scientific racism and eugenics sought to find connections between the human body and ideas about racial and class hierarchies. This drawing prompts us to consider the historical context in which the body was viewed. The precise rendering of the vertebrae evokes a deep sense of empathy and connection, reminding us of our shared humanity.