Anatomische studie van de pezen en beenderen van de linkerhand 1685

Pieter van Gunst created this anatomical study of the tendons and bones of the left hand sometime between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. During this period, anatomical studies were not only crucial for medical advancements but also intertwined with philosophical inquiries about the human condition. In this print we see the hand presented in a manner that is both scientific and artistic. The detailed rendering of muscles and bones coexists with an almost sculptural quality. Here the body becomes an object of study, reflecting the burgeoning scientific revolution and its impact on how we understand ourselves. Note how the tendons are deliberately exposed, highlighting the inner workings of the body. This raises questions about the boundaries between what is visible and what remains hidden, and how these representations affect our understanding of life and death. The artist asks us to reflect on the complex relationship between the observer and the observed, and the emotional and psychological dimensions of scientific inquiry.