Set of 2 Rare Antique Anatomy Prints-MUSCLE MAN-SKELETON-RHINOCEROS-Wandelaar-Albinus-1747

Subject: These two monumental anatomy plates show the bones and muscles of the front and back of a male figure, standing in front of a rhinoceros. Wandelaar placed his skeletons and musclemen against lush ornamental backgrounds to give them the illusion of vitality, using contrasts of mass and light to produce a three-dimensional effect. The most famous plates in the atlas depicts a skeletal figure standing in front of an enormous grazing rhinoceros, sketched by Wandelaar from the first living specimen in Europe, which had arrived at Amsterdam zoo in 1741 (Norman). These two plates are considered some of the finest anatomical plates ever made.

Source: This print originates from: “Tabulae sceleti et musculorum corporis humani”, Leyden: 1747.

Artists and Engravers: Made by ‘Jan Wandelaar’ after ‘Bernhard Siegfried Albinus’. Jan Wandelaar (1690-1759) was a Dutch painter, engraver and etcher, born in Amsterdam. Wandelaar was a pupil of Folkema, van der Gouwen and De Lairesse. In turn he would teach Lyonet and Delfos. His anatomical engravings (for Ruysch’ Opera and Albinus Tabulae) are the main base for he is reknown and highly esteemed. He died in Leyden. Bernhard Siegfried Albinus (born Weiss, 1697-1770) was a German-born Dutch anatomist. His father was professor of medicine in Frankfurt, but later transferred to Leyden. Albinus began his studies at the age of 12, under Boerhaave and Bidloo. He was then instructed by Sebastien Vaillant and Jacob Winslow in Paris, and afterwards wholly devoted himself to anatomy and botany.

Condition: Very good, given age. Light creasing and staining, mostly in corner margins. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.
Medium: Etching/engraving on Hand laid (verge) paper.
Size (in cm): The overall size is ca. 45 x 61.5 cm. The image size is ca. 39.2 x 55.5 cm.

Storage Location: PCO-Expo