Rembrandt’s Anatomy lessons

F. J. de Paz Fernández
Neurosciences and History 2018; 6(1): 1-9

Type of article: ORIGINAL

AUTHOR

F. J. de Paz Fernández
Department of anatomy and radiology. Faculty of medicine, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.

ABSTRACT

Introduction. Besides the joy they can bring us, the arts, and in this specific case painting, enable us to analyse and reflect upon historical information on the status and development of science. In his Anatomy lessons, Rembrandt’s brush transmits far more than a superficial analysis may seem to reveal. These works speak of society, of science, even of transcendence.

Methods. The author performed a detailed analysis of two masterpieces by the Dutch Baroque master Rembrandt and the context in which they were created. The works in question are The anatomy lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp and The anatomy lesson of Dr Deijmann; the latter is possibly the most famous neuroanatomical image in art history.

Results. A detailed description is given of both of the works, their interpretation, and their inaccuracies; and of the historical, intellectual, and artistic context of the time when they were painted.

Discussion. We comment on the state of science in general and anatomy in particular in Protestant Europe in the 17th century.

KEYWORDS

Anatomy, Baroque, dissection, neuroanatomy, painting, Rembrandt

Neurosciences and History 2018; 6(1): 1-9