Artwork
Muscular tissue of the claw of a mammal
Muscular tissue of the claw of a mammal is a drawing by H.G, Wetselaar. It dates from 1970 and is held in the collection of the Leiden University Libraries. Created around 1970 by H.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1970 by H.G. Wetselaar, this image presents an anatomical study of a mammalian claw—specifically a human hand rendered in meticulous detail. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography and serves as a visual reference for the arrangement of muscles, tendons, bones, and superficial vessels.
Subject & Meaning
The illustration isolates the hand’s musculature, displaying the intertwining muscle bundles that surround the skeletal framework. Veins and skin texture are indicated, while slender lines suggest nerves or tendinous connections. By exposing these hidden structures, the image functions as an educational tool, emphasizing the interdependence of soft tissue and bone in manual function.
Technique & Style
Wetselaar employs precise line work and cross‑hatching to convey volume and surface texture. The use of varying line density creates a sense of depth, distinguishing muscle mass from bone and skin. This method, common in anatomical drawing, allows the viewer to discern subtle anatomical relationships without the aid of color.
History & Provenance
The piece was produced in the early 1970s, a period when scientific illustration was transitioning toward photographic documentation yet still relied on hand‑drawn accuracy. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings shortly after its creation, where it has been catalogued as part of the institution’s anatomical and ethnographic visual resources.
Context
Anatomical drawings such as this were traditionally employed in medical and biological education, as well as in comparative studies of human and animal morphology. Wetselaar’s focus on the claw—interpreted here as a human hand—reflects a broader interest in the functional anatomy of grasping appendages across mammals.
Artist & collection
Artist
H.G. Wetselaar spent his days hunched over microscopes in a quiet Leiden lab, sketching what most people ignore. His pencil caught the raw architecture of bodies we pretend are smooth—like the knotted muscles of a…
