Table 88: A Skeleton Risen from its Tomb

Anatomy

The 88th table in Govard Bidloo's Anatomia Humani Corporis, and his later atlas Ontleding des Meschelyken Lichaams, depicts a skeletal figure holding a piece of drapery walking towards a tomb int he ground. The skeletal figure is situated beside a tomb in the ground, blocked out by large sheets of stone, located under a rusticated archway. In the background, a burial monument with a pyramidal block of stone resting atop female sphinx like figures is set on a pedestal. The artist Gerard de Lairesse, who designed the plates, took great liberty in creating a historicized landscape, complete with pastoral scenery of flowing trees, and rolling fields that lead to a far off town. The skeleton is shown walking away from the viewer, the body positioned in a contraposto stance with one leg engaged and the other abound to step onto the ledge of the tomb. Letters label the different bones that make up the skeleton, though the anatomist has decided to only provide labeling for the larger and more easily identifiable bones.

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

Printed 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

Govard Bidloo

Gerard de Lairesse

Peter van Gunst

Philip van Gunst

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

Anatomia Humani Corporis

Ontleding des Meschelyken Lichaams

Jpeg

Latin

Dutch

Medical Text

Seventeenth century Dutch medical practice

1685

Anatomia Humani Corporis

Ontleding des Meschelyken Lichaams

62.5 x 36 cm

Copperplate engraving on paper

Govard Bidloo. "88th 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