Menselijk bot met een breuk 1836 - 1912

This is Isaac Weissenbruch’s 19th-century pencil drawing of a fractured human bone. Pencil, a humble material, transforms a scene of trauma into an object of study, of careful observation and artistic rendering. Note the precise application of graphite, built up through hatching and cross-hatching, to create the illusion of three-dimensionality. Weissenbruch's skill in draftsmanship gives weight and texture to the bone, capturing its density and the rough edges of the break. While the subject matter is scientific, the artist’s hand is evident in every stroke, elevating this study beyond mere documentation. This drawing speaks to the labor involved in artistic practice, and the close attention to detail required to translate a complex object onto paper. It also underscores the human element in scientific observation, where the artist's interpretation shapes our understanding. Ultimately, this piece invites us to consider the interplay between art and science, and to recognize the value of skilled making in both fields.