The mysteries of human anatomy fascinated and inspired numerous artists of the 15th century. Tasked with the marginally grotesque job of rendering human cadavers for medical books and scientific research, many of these artists gleefully took creative license in their work, depicting
whimsical,
surreal, and
iconographic visions of the body. This exhibit from the National Library of Medicine straddles art and science, offering a peek into the bizarre world of anatomical imagery. Start with
anatomical primitives, when crude illustrations reflected medieval iconography rather than anatomical accuracy. Play with
cadavers, see
body parts as art, and learn how science never got in the way of
good entertainment.
# posted by SV @ 1/15/2004 06:05:00 AM