Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 839

BERNHARD SIEGFRIED ALBINUS (1697-1770) The anatomy of painting. Printed by George Scott, and sold by T. Cadell 1769 xxvi [5]-76 pp., [12] plates. 39.5 cm.

For more information on this author or work, see number: 829

John Brisbane, a physician, states in the preface that while he thinks the proper way to learn human anatomy is to dissect the human body, dissection is overdone in medical schools. He believed that much could be taught to both physicians and artists by using accurately drawn printed illustrations. As models he selected Albinus, selections on anatomy from Celsus' De medicina (see No. 19 ff.), and Cicero's description of human organization in De natura deorum. From Albinus' Tabulae sceleti et musculorum corporis humani Brisbane has copied in reduced size three skeletons and three "muscle men," each accompanied by a duplicate outline plate with explanatory letterpress. Also included are a chapter by Brisbane on artistic anatomy, an English translation of the preface of Albinus' Tabulae sceleti et musculorum corporis humani, an explanation of the plates, and translations from Celsus and Cicero. The well-executed drawings were done by Brisbane and engraved by Peter Paul Benazech (b. 1774) and James Caldwell (b. 1739).

See Related Record(s): 19

Cited references: Choulant-Frank, p. 292; Russell 95; Wellcome II, p. 26 (1831 ed.)

Gift of John Martin, M.D.