Menselijke wervels en ribben 1877 - 1880

Here we have Jac van Looij's sketch of 'Menselijke wervels en ribben' or 'Human Vertebrae and Ribs'. Van Looij, born in 1855, lived through a time of shifting social and scientific paradigms that influenced his artistic perspective. This work reflects the intersection of art and science during the late 19th century, when artists like Van Looij were fascinated by the structure of the human form. With a delicate touch, he renders the vertebrae and ribs, capturing their shapes and textures. This intimate study of anatomy raises questions about our own mortality and the fragility of life. It invites us to contemplate the historical representation of the body and the complex interplay between science, art, and human existence.