To hænder, fire albueled og et kranium med tre nakkehvirvler, set bagfra. 1660 - 1663

This drawing of hands, elbows and a skull, was created by Karel van Mander III in the 17th century, using traditional drawing materials - likely graphite or charcoal on paper. Look closely, and you’ll notice the controlled precision of the lines. The artist paid meticulous attention to detail, capturing the textures and forms of the skeletal structure through careful shading and contouring. The density of the marks creates volume. Van Mander was not working as a scientist, but as an artist. This drawing would have been a study in anatomy, part of a long tradition of artists learning about the body. The artist would have honed their skills over years of practice and apprenticeship. Each line reflects skilled labor and training. By focusing on these elements, we can appreciate not only the aesthetic qualities of the drawing, but also the history of artistic training and knowledge production that it represents.