Artwork
Musculoskeletal system of the hand
Musculoskeletal system of the hand 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 anatomical illustration depicts the dorsal aspect of the hand. It presents two complementary views that reveal the arrangement of bones, muscles and tendons. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as a reference for the musculoskeletal structure of the human hand.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing concentrates on the relationship between skeletal elements and the overlying soft tissues. By showing the long, rounded bones with the fingers splayed and the adjacent muscular masses in muted tones, the image emphasizes how each component interlocks to support movement and grip, offering a clear visual guide to the hand’s functional anatomy.
Technique & Style
Wetselaar employs precise, linear rendering combined with subtle cross‑hatching to differentiate bone from muscle and tendon. The grayscale palette keeps the focus on form rather than color, while the clean, measured lines convey weight and structure beneath the skin. The overall composition balances scientific accuracy with a restrained artistic approach.
History & Provenance
The illustration was produced in the early 1970s, a period when detailed anatomical drawings were commonly used for educational purposes. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings shortly after its creation, where it has remained a reference piece for scholars studying comparative anatomy and the visual documentation of the human body.
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…
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