Anatomische studies van de skeletten van foetussen 1685

Pieter van Gunst made these anatomical studies of fetus skeletons sometime before 1724, using etching and engraving. These are printing processes, which involve working an image into a hard surface, in this case a metal plate. Consider the labor involved in producing such a plate. The engraver would need a high degree of skill, both as a draughtsman and a technician. A steady hand is needed to incise lines into the metal, which would then be inked and printed onto paper. The result is a series of precise and delicate lines, capturing the fragile forms of the skeletons. The very qualities of the print – its reproducibility, its relative affordability – make it a perfect medium for disseminating knowledge. It’s no accident that this image ended up in a public institution like the Rijksmuseum. In its own way, it represents a democratization of access, a far cry from unique works of art intended only for a wealthy elite. Through the skillful application of craft and technique, the artist transformed metal and paper into a vehicle for education.