Jacob van der Gracht’s Anatomie for artists

Abstract

The painter and engraver, Jacob van der Gracht produced one of the first anatomical manuals for members of his profession that visibly references the format and content of medical publications. However, his reliance on figures in the style of Andreas Vesalius has caused his publication to be viewed as an abridged copy of De humani corporis fabrica (Basel, 1543) and has obscured the legacy of Van der Gracht’s contributions. Adapting these figures for a new purpose, Van der Gracht’s manual advocates for anatomical instruction to enhance artists’ skills in rendering lifelike effects, especially a convincing sense of movement. This article investigates the range of sources upon which Van der Gracht’s drew, how they were altered to suit artists’ interests, and his publication’s posterity. I argue that Van der Gracht used the familiar images of renowned sixteenth-century anatomists to bolster his publication’s success and elevate the credibility of his profession.