Anatomische studie van haarfollikels en de huid 1685

This is "Anatomische studie van haarfollikels en de huid", an undated drawing by Pieter van Gunst. It gives us insight into the development of scientific illustration during the Dutch Golden Age. The image meticulously details hair follicles and skin structure, reflecting the period’s burgeoning interest in empirical observation and anatomical study. Made in the Netherlands, the drawing aligns with the Dutch Republic's focus on trade, exploration, and scientific inquiry. It captures the intersection of art and science, as artists were commissioned by the scientific institutions to create detailed visual records of scientific findings. As the art historian, my role here is to consider how the institutions of science, and of art, shaped the kind of knowledge this image conveys. Examining Van Gunst's other engravings, and consulting records from medical and artistic academies, enriches our understanding. Art like this reflects the cultural values of its time and place.