Anatomia Humani Corporis

Govard Bidloo (1649-1713) was born in Amsterdam and developed his interest in anatomy and medicine through his apprenticeship to noted anatomist and botanist Frederik Ruysch. He received a Doctorate in Medicine from Franeker Univesity in 1682. While pursuing his doctorate, he was also involved with the theatre community in Amsterdam, and he became acquainted with noted Dutch artist Gérard de Lairesse (1641-1711). It was during this time that they collaborated to produce 105 illustrations for an anatomical atlas. Originally published in 1685 and containing copper plate engravings of the original drawings, the illustrations offer a dramatic contrast to the idealistic classical style initiated by the Vesalian woodcut illustrations. The sharper detail offered by the use of copperplate engraving, the near life sized scale, as well as the inclusion of realistic elements like clothing, books, pins, and crawling insects, add a measure of realism and depth to the composition. The series of plates depicting the brain and nervous system is marked by its striking attention to detail from the facial hair of the cadaver down to the wooden blocks and cloth ties used to hold the brain in place for the illustration.