School of Culture and Communication - Theses

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Bones of contention: the changing conventions of anatomical illustration 1690-1750

Hobday, Victoria Jane ( 2015)

This thesis examines the changes in anatomical illustration between 1690 and 1750 through the close investigation of two case studies. During this period there was a change from the conventions established by Vesalius that had dominated the field, to a search for a more modern interpretation that incorporated new technologies and anatomical discoveries. Against a background of wunderkammer display and the association of the body with vanitas sentiment as demonstrated in the work of Dr Frederik Ruysch, a new form of illustration was sought that drew upon contemporary artistic and philosophical ideas. Previously, anatomical illustration has been examined as an adjunct to the history of medicine however the artistic influences upon the images have been largely overlooked. I argue that during this period there were a number of contributing influences from both the fields of science and art that combined to affect the evolving form of anatomical illustration.