Grafmonument van anatoom Antonio Maria Valsalva 1702 - 1764

This print of the tomb monument of anatomist Antonio Maria Valsalva was made by Francesco Zucchi, who lived from 1692 to 1764. It commemorates the life and work of Valsalva and celebrates his contributions to medicine and anatomy in eighteenth-century Italy. Valsalva's monument is a testament to the culture of scientific inquiry fostered by institutions such as the University of Bologna. The Latin inscription, framed by putti holding anatomical instruments, highlights the role of such public figures in shaping knowledge and advancing the progress of medicine. It underscores the significance of Valsalva's research. Engravings such as this one reflect an era in which art and science were intertwined. To fully understand the meaning of this print, we can look at a range of archival sources, including anatomical texts, academic records, and biographies of leading scientists and artists of the time. These sources can tell us more about the interplay between artistic representation and the culture of scientific inquiry.