The Anatomy of Humane Bodies, Allegorical Title Page

Anatomy

The allegorical title page of The Anatomy of Humane Bodies displays a scene with several individuals performing various tasks in a classical landscape. In the foreground, Father time is shown holding an hourglass while his scythe lies on the ground on the left. On the right of the foreground, three putti are depicted; one hold a piece of parchment, presumably with an anatomical diagram on it in front of the other two, one of which holds a skull, and the other points to a forearm which is spread across a small table. Behind them is the title of the atlas, which reads "The Anatomy of Humane Bodies by William Cowper Surgeon. 1698," which is printed on a piece of paper and pasted over the original engraved title of Ontleding des Meschelyken Lichaams. This is engraved upon a shield resting against a platform on which the allegory of Medicine sits, identified by the large volume that she rests against and the knife like tool she holds in her hand. Beside her, a young boy stands, his face shrouded by drapery, and the skin of his arm removed to display the inner musculature. Flying above and behind the allegory of Medicine is Gloria, identified by her wings and two horns. Finally, in the background, flanked by distinctly Baroque architecture, two skeletons converse with each other. This allegorical title page was purchased alongside three hundred imprints of the 105 copperplate engravings featured within Govard Bidloo's atlases from his publishers.

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

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

1698

William Cowper

Gerard de Lairesse

Peter van Gunst

Philip van Gunst

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

Ontleding des Meschelyken Lichaams

Anatomia Humani Corporis

Jpeg

English

Medical Text

Seventeenth century English medical practice

The anatomy of humane bodies, with figures drawn after the life by some of the best masters in Europe, and curiously engraven in one hundred and fourteen copper plates, illustrated with large explications, containing many new anatomical discoveries, and chirurgical observations, to which is added an introduction explaining the animal oeconomy, with a copious index.

1698

The Anatomy of Humane Bodies

Ontleding des Meschelyken Lichaams

62.5 x 36 cm

Copperplate engraving on paper

William Cowper. The Anatomy of Humane Bodies. Oxford, Printed at the theatre for Samuel Smith and Benjamin Walford, printers to the Royal Society, 1698.

Artists

Medical Practitioners

Medical Students

Members of the Royal Society