Anneke Jacobs van Thetenbul vóór en ná een operatie van een tumor 1693

This print, made in 17th century Netherlands by Cornelis Visscher, depicts Anneke Jacobs van Thetenbul before and after the surgical removal of a tumor. Such prints reveal the way medicine was practiced, documented, and circulated in early modern Europe. The image's meaning comes from the visual contrast between Anneke’s disfigured profile on the left, and her post-operative appearance on the right. The accompanying Latin text functions as a kind of case study, detailing the tumor's size, location, and texture. The text emphasizes the success of the surgery, performed in Amsterdam in 1656 by a team of physicians, and witnessed by many other doctors. This print reflects a growing interest in empirical observation and anatomical knowledge during the Dutch Golden Age. It also speaks to the role of print culture in disseminating medical knowledge and promoting the reputation of surgeons. We can learn more about the historical context of this image by researching the lives and practices of the surgeons involved, and by studying other medical illustrations from the period.