Anatomische studie van de lege borstkas 1685

This is Pieter van Gunst’s anatomical study of an empty ribcage, a detailed engraving offering a stark vision of human anatomy. Dominating the composition are the exposed ribs, which have a symbolic weight linked to mortality and the fragility of life. Consider how the image of the ribcage—a cage of bones—recurs in various forms throughout history, from ancient burial rituals to Renaissance depictions of skeletons. This motif transcends mere anatomical representation, becoming a symbol of the human condition. The image brings to mind the memento mori tradition, which emerged from the collective subconscious as a meditation on death. Through a psychoanalytic lens, we might view the ribcage as a subconscious attempt to come to terms with the inevitability of death, as the exposed bones touch upon deep-seated fears and anxieties. Yet, the image is also an act of preservation and remembrance, in which the artist’s intense gaze and the viewer's sense of apprehension engage us on a profoundly subconscious level. In its non-linear progression, the symbol resurfaces, each time evolving, acquiring new meanings and layers of emotional depth.