Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 600

ROGER DE PILES (1635-1709) Nouveau traite d'anatomie accomodée aux arts de peinture et de sculpture. Chez Jean [ca. 1760] [12] pp., 10 leaves of plates. 49.3 cm.

Piles, who used the pseudonym François Tortebat, was especially noted for his writings and skill as a painter and engraver. However his chief occupation was that of a diplomat and, at one time, he was the French ambassador to Spain. Piles first issued these reproductions from Vesalius' works at Paris in 1667. Intended primarily for artists, his work was preceded only by that of Jacob van der Gracht (1593-1647), the Flemish painter and engraver, who also modeled his figures after those of Vesalius. However, authorities concede that Piles' book contains the most beautiful reproductions ever made from Vesalius' works. The ten plates in this little-known printing include four muscle figures from the Epitome (see No. 287) with the remaining six (three muscle and three skeletal figures) from the Fabrica (see No. 281). In contrast to the Vesalian figures, Piles' figures are reversed in direction and the picturesque backgrounds have been omitted. The "Adam and Eve" figures present in the first edition are not included in this issue. The plates for this printing were made by the engraver Giles Edmé Petit (1696-1760) from chalk drawings done by P. F. Le Clere (fl. 1750).

See Related Record(s): 287 281

Cited references: Choulant-Frank, pp. 195-196; Cushing T141 (1760 ed. printed by Crepy); Cushing-Vesalius VI.D.-28 (1760 ed. printed by Crepy); Waller 9640 (1760 ed.)

Gift of John Martin, M.D.