Knogler 1728 - 1731

Marcus Tuscher created this drawing called ‘Knogler’ or ‘Bones’ with pencil on paper in the 18th century. Tuscher lived during the late Baroque and early Rococo periods. In his drawings, the body—particularly the skeletal form—becomes an explicit object of study, reflecting the growing scientific and anatomical interests of the Enlightenment. One can only imagine Tuscher's interest in this subject. The Enlightenment was also a time when traditional notions of the body, particularly regarding gender and race, were being challenged and re-evaluated. In "Knogler," Tuscher approaches the human form as an object to be examined, measured, and understood through reason and observation. The artwork encourages us to consider our own corporeal existence. It challenges the historical and cultural narratives that have shaped our understanding of identity.