Artwork
Skeleton of a Rabbit
Skeleton of a Rabbit is an ink print by the Baroque artist Teodoro Filippo di Liagno. It dates from 1620 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Teodoro Filippo di Liagno’s etching titled “Skeleton of a Rabbit” dates from 1620 and is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C. Executed on laid paper, the print presents a solitary rabbit skeleton positioned on a tuft of grass, rendered with crisp linear marks that emphasize the anatomical structure.
Subject & Meaning
The composition isolates the rabbit’s skeletal framework, drawing attention to the curvature of the spine, the tilt of the skull, and the arrangement of the long bones. Small sprigs of vegetation at the base suggest a natural setting, while the stark focus on the bones evokes a study‑like observation of form and mortality.
Technique & Style
Created through traditional etching, the artist incised the image onto a metal plate, applied acid to bite the lines, and transferred the design onto laid paper. The resulting marks are precise and controlled, resembling the exactitude of early scientific illustration rather than decorative ornamentation, highlighting the artist’s interest in anatomical accuracy.
History & Provenance
The print was produced in the early seventeenth century, a period when artists increasingly explored natural subjects for educational purposes. It entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings through acquisition, where it remains catalogued as an example of early modern printmaking and anatomical study.
Artist & collection
