Menselijk bot met een afwijking 1836 - 1912

This is an undated, roughly 9 by 6 centimeter, drawing by Isaac Weissenbruch of what is described as a 'human bone with an anomaly'. Weissenbruch, who lived from 1826 to 1912, was a Dutch painter and printmaker associated with the Hague School. This group sought to represent the everyday lives of the Dutch, and it is tempting to see this small drawing of a bone as part of that project. What does it mean to depict not a heroic body, but a flawed one? In his time, Weissenbruch was lauded for his ability to capture the nuances of light and atmosphere, and his approach to landscape painting reflected a deep connection to the Dutch countryside. Consider this drawing of bone within a context where scientific and medical illustrations were becoming more common. How might this blend of art and science change our understanding of the body and self? How does viewing a depiction of something that is considered imperfect or irregular make you feel? Does it evoke curiosity, discomfort, or empathy?