Anatomische studie van de schedel van een onvoldragen kindje 1733 - 1738

Jan l’Admiral made this anatomical study of a premature infant's skull sometime in the 18th century. The drawing seems to be an instance of the growing scientific curiosity of the time. Consider the tension: the age of Enlightenment, with its high-minded ideals, coincided with rising rates of infant mortality, as well as the use of human remains in medical science. Here, the artist meticulously documents the delicate structures of a premature baby's skull, with its visible sutures and blood vessels. The anonymous green background reminds us that scientific knowledge has, at times, been purchased at a high cost. To delve deeper, one might consult medical textbooks from this era, hospital records, or even conduct studies into the ethical debates surrounding medical research. These sources would shed light on the complex relationship between science, society, and individual life.