Anatomische studie van de spieren en de beenderen van de linkeronderarm en de hand 1685

This is Pieter van Gunst’s anatomical study of the muscles and bones of the left forearm and hand. It’s a print, and we don’t know exactly when it was made. Anatomical studies like this one were instrumental to the advancement of medical science during the artist’s lifetime. But consider the circumstances under which this knowledge was acquired. Whose bodies were being dissected? What were their identities? Historically, in the Western world, the bodies of the poor and marginalized were disproportionately used for anatomical research. This piece provides an opportunity to reflect on the ethics of scientific advancement and the social inequalities that have often been intertwined with the pursuit of knowledge. By understanding the historical context of this image, we can begin to question the power dynamics that shape medical knowledge, even today.