Been, arm en twee handen

This print, “Been, arm en twee handen,” was made by Jan Punt sometime in the 18th century, using etching and engraving techniques. Punt clearly had a solid understanding of human anatomy. Note the confident lines and detailed shading, which bring the sinews of the arm and the joints of the hand to life. He would have used specialized tools such as burins and needles, to create the image on a metal plate, before printing it onto paper. Although we think of the scientific method as objective, these anatomical studies were shaped by prevailing social ideas about the body. By focusing on the body’s capacity to work, the artist emphasizes labor and production. This challenges our conventional notions of fine art.