Prints of the Brain and the Heart 1700 - 1750

This print of a heart was made by Jan l' Admiral in the 18th century. The technique employed is mezzotint, a printmaking process that relies on the manipulation of a copper plate. The plate is roughened to create a field of tiny dots that hold ink, and then it is burnished smooth in certain areas to create lighter tones. The image gradually emerges as the plate is worked from dark to light. It is a labor-intensive method, requiring specialized tools and a high degree of skill. Mezzotint engravings were commonly used for scientific illustration, due to the rich tonal range and capacity for fine detail. Look closely, and you can see the intricate web of veins and arteries. The labor that went into creating this image is evident, mirroring, perhaps, the very thing it depicts: an organ whose biological labor is essential to human existence. By focusing on the making of this print, we appreciate the material culture of science as much as the science itself, and in doing so, we challenge the traditional hierarchies that separate art, craft, and knowledge.