Three Studies of Écorchés 1640 - 1650

Paulus Pontius created this print, "Three Studies of Écorchés," in the 17th century, a period marked by significant developments in anatomical science and artistic exploration of the human form. Here, Pontius presents us with flayed figures, offering a stark and detailed look at human musculature. The écorché, or flayed figure, was a popular subject during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, serving as both an artistic study and a scientific tool. These images were integral to the education of artists. Yet, they also remind us of the complex relationship between knowledge, power, and the human body. How does it feel to look at these figures, stripped bare? What does it mean to expose and study the body in such a way? "Three Studies of Écorchés" invites us to consider how the pursuit of knowledge intersects with our understanding of mortality, representation, and the human condition.