Table 71: Muscles and Sinew of the Hand (Dissection of the Forearm)

Anatomy

The 71st table of Govard Bidloo and William Cowper's anatomical atlases displays the dissection of the forearm, with particular attention paid to the muscles and sinews that connect throughout the back of the hand. the forearm has been mostly stripped of its muscular components, as the radius and ulna are clearly visible. The wrist rests upon a rolled up cloth, and the elbow is propped between a book, presumably an anatomical atlas, and a block of wood to hold it in place. The entire display is situated upon a wooden block, similar to a modern cutting board. The muscles and sinew of the hand that would normally stretch up the arm along the bones is spread and curled artfully across the page, showing Gerard de Lairesse's own artistic agency. Each of the major muscles, bones, and regions of the hand are labelled with letters which are accompanied by simple explanatory text on the alternate page.

Gerard de Lairesse (artist), Peter and Philip van Gunst (engravers)

for the widow of Joannes van Someren, the heirs of Joannes van Dyk, Henry Boom and widow of Theodore Boom in 1685 and 1690

Printed at the theatre for Samuel Smith and Benjamin Walford, printers to the Royal Society in 1698.

1685

1690

1698

Anatomia Humani Corporis

Ontleding des Meschelyken Lichaams

The Anatomy of Humane Bodies

Govard Bidloo

Gerard de Lairesse

Peter van Gunst

Philip van Gunst

William Cowper

Public Access (U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2004)

Jpeg

Latin

Dutch

English

Medical Text

Seventeenth century Dutch medical practice

1685

Anatomia Humani Corporis

Ontleding des Meschelyken Lichaams

The Anatomy of Humane Bodies

62.5 x 36 cm

Copperplate engraving

Govard Bidloo. "71st Table." Anatomia Humani Corporis. Amsterdam, for the widow of Joannes van Someren, the heirs of Joannes van Dyk, Henry Boom and widow of Theodore Boom, 1685.

Artists

Medical practitioners

Medical students