Andreas Vesalius, De humani corporis fabrica (Basel, 1555), 2d ed.
This book is without doubt the most handsome anatomical work of the 16th century. A dozen “muscle men” walk through its pages, removing skin and organs layer by layer, like discarding old clothes. Vesalius was fortunate to team up with Jan Stephan van Calcar, a world class artist. Even the human skeletons reveal an aesthetic appreciation of the human body. This book illustrates the convergence of art and anatomical study in the Renaissance.
The title page displays Vesalius conducting a public autopsy. Perhaps a vivisection of the dog or monkey will follow. At the top of the 1543 edition, the initials I-O stand for Johannes. The Johannes in question was Vesalius’ partner in producing the work, the artist Jan Stephan van Calcar, a student of Titian. Jan Stephan died shortly after the book was published and his contribution is not widely appreciated.
The title page of this 1555 edition of De fabrica resembles the 1543 edition but is less artistically executed. Significantly, the initials IO were removed.
