Artwork
Musculorum Tabula VIII
Musculorum Tabula VIII is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jan Wandelaar. It dates from 1742 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Musculorum Tabula VIII is an engraving on laid paper created by Jan Wandelaar in 1742, accompanied by a descriptive text leaf from a later English edition.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts a skeleton standing beside a rocky outcropping, with detailed renderings of muscles and bones achieved through fine lines. The figure is posed with one arm raised and leaning on a staff, suggesting a dynamic, interactive representation of human anatomy.
Technique & Style
The engraving showcases Wandelaar's skill in creating detailed, high-contrast images through the use of fine lines, which convey the intricate structure of the human skeleton and musculature.
Context
This print is one of eight plates from an anatomical treatise, indicating its role in a broader educational or scientific endeavor to illustrate the human body's inner workings.
Artist & collection
