Human Body, Posterior View 1795 - 1806

George Stubbs created this drawing of the posterior view of a human body using pen and ink on paper. It might seem simple, but this type of drawing was a crucial element in Stubbs's deep study of anatomy, most famously in his anatomical studies of the horse. The drawing's material influence on its appearance is notable, from the thinness of the ink allowing the artist to create very precise lines, to the way the paper takes the ink, creating a slightly textured effect. We can imagine Stubbs carefully applying the ink with a quill or fine brush, following the contours of the human form. Stubbs's anatomical drawings and studies are deeply rooted in the social and cultural context of 18th-century scientific inquiry. His detailed approach to anatomy reflects a desire to understand the inner workings of the body. Stubbs wasn't just an artist; he was a researcher. His work challenges the traditional distinction between art and science, and the drawing is testament to the importance of the processes and context of production for understanding the full meaning of an artwork.