Vesalian Exultation

Vesalius, a 16th century Belgian physician, was the first to dissect and draw human bodies for medical reference, long before the Church sanctioned such blasphemous exploits. Daring tales of how he secured his subjects are often as amazing as his illustrations.

I was struck by the heavier lines he used to show the delineation of the musculature. It reminded me of the leading used to separate and secure stained glass. Then I thought: "leading is to body like glass is to soul." And a joyous human figure, radiating out into light would continue that cognate.

Click to see an example of Vesalius' work.

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