Two hearts, one being rotated by a hand

Wetselaar employed fine-line shading and cross-hatching to render the texture of cardiac muscle and vascular networks with anatomical accuracy. The veins and fibrous tissue are meticulously detailed, their twisting paths suggesting movement and tension. The hand rendering the rotation is rendered with soft contours, grounding the scientific imagery in human agency and tactile presence.

The drawing entered the Museum of Ethnography’s collection in the late 20th century, likely acquired as part of a broader interest in medical illustration as cultural artifact. Its origin as a standalone study, rather than a published diagram, suggests it may have been part of the artist’s personal exploration of bodily form and function during the 1960s–70s.

Produced during a period of growing public engagement with medical science, the work aligns with contemporaneous efforts to visualize internal anatomy beyond textbooks. While not tied to a specific institution or publication, its detailed execution reflects the influence of anatomical drawing traditions, blending scientific rigor with artistic intention.

The drawing remains a quiet example of mid-century medical illustration that prioritizes observation over spectacle. It contributes to the archive of hand-drawn anatomical studies that predate digital imaging, preserving a tactile, labor-intensive approach to understanding the human body through sustained visual attention.