Abraham Blooteling & Pieter Stevens van Gunst, “Plate 86: Dissected Foot with Muscles Revealed”, 1685

Abraham Blooteling (aka Abraham Bloteling; Abraham Blotelingh; Abraham Blootelingh) (1640–1690) and Pieter Stevens van Gunst (aka Pieter van Gunst) (1658/59–c.1731)

Plate 86: Dissected Foot with Muscles Revealed”, 1685, after a drawing in the Ecole de Médicine, Paris, by Gerard de Lairesse (1640/41–1711), engraved illustration to Govard Bidloo’s (1649–1713) famous anatomical atlas, “Anatomia humani corporis/ Ontleding des menschelyken lichaams", first published by the widow of Johan van Someren (1622–1676) (de Weduwe van Joannes van Someren [fl. after 1679]) in 1685 in Amsterdam.

Engraving on laid paper with Strasburg Lily watermark of 1625 (see WA Churchill no. 401, p. 83) and full margins as published.

Note that this impression has the 3cm chainlines of the first edition of 1685, whereas the later edition of 1734, published by Jacob van Poolsum (1701–1762) in Utrecht has 2.5cm chainlines.

Size: (sheet) 51.4 x 33.1cm; (plate) 47.4 x 30cm.

Lettered in plate: (upper-right corner) “T. 86.”; index lettered “A” to “F” following “Fig. 1” to “Fig. 3”.

Archive.org offers a view of this print in its context in the publication: https://archive.org/details/gri_33125008642049/page/n287/mode/2up.

Condition: a strong and well-printed (near faultless) impression. The sheet has dot stains at the upper right and a restored (closed) tear in the margin at lower right, otherwise the sheet is in an excellent condition for its age and large size with no holes, folds, abrasions, losses, significant stains or handling marks.

I am selling this large and famous masterpiece of anatomical engraving that is not only superbly executed, but also displays exceptional ingenuity in displaying the muscles and tendons, for AU$485 (currently US$309.88/ EUR293.78/ GBP243.37 at the time of posting this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries. Note that payment is in Australian dollars (AU$485) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this extraordinary and technically magnificent print, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold

Abraham Blooteling & Pieter Stevens van Gunst's engraving, “Plate 70: Dissected Hand and Forearm Showing the Tendons”, 1685

Abraham Blooteling (aka Abraham Bloteling; Abraham Blotelingh; Abraham Blootelingh) (1640–1690) and Pieter Stevens van Gunst (aka Pieter van Gunst) (1658/59–c1731)

“Plate 70: Dissected Hand and Forearm Showing the Tendons”, 1685, after a drawing in the Ecole de Médicine, Paris, by Gerard de Lairesse (1640/41–1711), engraved illustration to Govard Bidloo’s (1649–1713) famous anatomical atlas, “Anatomia humani corporis/ Ontleding des menschelyken lichaams", first published by the widow of Johan van Someren (1622–1676) (de Weduwe van Joannes van Someren [fl. after 1679]) in 1685 in Amsterdam.

Note that this impression has the 3 cm chainlines of the first edition of 1685, whereas the later edition of 1734, published by Jacob van Poolsum (1701–1762) in Utrecht has 2.5 cm chainlines.

Archive.org offer a view of this print in its context in the publication: https://archive.org/details/gri_33125008642049/page/n239/mode/2up.

The accompanying Latin text on the facing page to this print offers the following explanation of the lettered index: (transl. and my apologies for any errors) “Seventieth Table: Besides those already recited A. of the index finger, B. of the ear, C. of the thumb, and of the fingers, there are those produced from the extremity of the apophysis of the humerus D. of four or three of the fingers, E. both second and third, by means of the tendinous ligaments of the envelope, F. are attached to the internode. With these tendons, as well as Perforates and Perforants, the capsules or sheaths of the Membranaceous-Cartilage are attached to the External Radius. These same muscles, separated from each other, are shown […]”

For a marvellous description of the history behind the Bidloo’s anatomical atlas relating to another plate from the publication, see: https://trowbridgegallery.com.au/product/william-cowper-t81/.

Engraving on laid paper (3 cm chainlines) with full margins as published.

Size: (sheet) 50.6 x 35.4 cm; (plate) 47.5 x 33.1 cm.

Lettered in plate: (upper-right corner) “T. 70.”; (index lettered) “A” to “F”.

Condition: strong and well-printed impression in an excellent condition for its age with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, losses, significant stains or handling marks.

I am selling this large and famous masterpiece of anatomical engraving that is not only superbly executed, but also displays exceptional ingenuity in displaying an anterior view of the forearm muscles and tendons attached to the wrist, for AU$485 (currently US$333.61/EUR313.29/GBP275.87 at the time of posting this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world (but not, of course, any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries).

If you are interested in purchasing this extraordinary and technically magnificent print, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold

Abraham Blooteling & Pieter Stevens van Gunst's engraving, “Plate 67: Inferioris Brachii, ut & Manus digitorumque quosdam”, 1685

Abraham Blooteling (aka Abraham Bloteling; Abraham Blotelingh; Abraham Blootelingh) (1640–1690) and Pieter Stevens van Gunst (aka Pieter van Gunst) (1658/ 59–c1731)

“Plate 67: Inferioris Brachii, ut & Manus digitorumque quosdam” (lower arm, and palm of hand and fingers), 1685, after the drawing in the Ecole de Médicine, Paris, by Gerard de Lairesse (1640/41–1711) as plate 67 to Govard Bidloo’s (1649–1713) famous anatomical atlas, “Anatomia humani corporis / Ontleding des menschelyken lichaams", first published by the widow of Johan van Someren (1622–1676) (de Weduwe van Joannes van Someren [fl. after 1679]) in 1685 in Amsterdam.

Note that this impression has the 3 cm chainlines of the first edition of 1685 and the later 1734 edition published by Jacob van Poolsum (1701–1762) in Utrecht has 2.5 cm chainlines.

For a marvellous description of the history behind this plate (and a current retail price) see:

https://trowbridgegallery.com.au/product/william-cowper-t67/.

This publication is available to view online or to download free-of-charge from archive.org:

(https://archive.org/details/gri_33125008642049/page/n231/mode/2up).

Engraving on laid paper (3 cm chainlines) with full margins as published.

Size: (sheet) 50.6 x 35.3 cm; (plate) 47.3 x 32.1 cm.

Numbered on plate at upper right corner: “T. 67.” and index lettered from “A” to “N”.

Condition: strong and well-printed impression with small restored abrasions, a closed tear in the lower margin and minor spots appropriate to the age of the print; otherwise the sheet is in very good condition (i.e. there are no holes, folds, losses or significant stains).

I am selling this large masterpiece of anatomical engraving that is not only superbly executed but also displays exceptional ingenuity in displaying an anterior view of the forearm with the layering of muscles responsible for flexion at the wrist and fingers, and pronation, for  AU$485 (currently US$337.96/EUR299.33/GBP299.33 at the time of posting this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world (but not, of course, any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries).

If you are interested in purchasing this extraordinary and technically magnificent print, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

Abraham Blooteling & Pieter Stevens van Gunst's anatomical engravings of male genitals, 1685

Abraham Blooteling (aka Abraham Bloteling; Abraham Blotelingh; Abraham Blootelingh) (1640–1690) and Pieter Stevens van Gunst (aka Pieter van Gunst) (1658/ 59–c1731)

(left) “Plate 46: Testicles”, 1685

(right) “Plate 44: Male Genitals“, 1685

Both engravings are after drawings in the Ecole de Médicine (Paris) by Gerard de Lairesse (1640/41–1711) as illustration plates to Govard Bidloo’s (1649–1713) famous anatomical atlas, “Anatomia humani corporis / Ontleding des menschelyken lichaams", first published by the widow (de Weduwe van Joannes van Someren) (fl. after 1679) of Johan van Someren (1622–1676) in 1685 in Amsterdam.

In previous listings I showcased an impression (now sold) from the 1734 edition published by Jacob van Poolsum (1701–1762) in Utrecht that had 2.5 cm chainlines (rather than the 3 cm chainlines of these prints) and on a sheet that is slightly smaller leading me to propose that these impressions are from the first edition.

Note that William Cowper (c1666–1709) also published an edition of the prints in 1739; see the description of the controversy about the Cowper edition offered by The Print Collector: http://www.theprintscollector.com/Article/Antique-Medical-Print-FOETUS-ABDOMEN-Cowper-Bidloo-1739.

Engravings on laid paper (3 cm chain-lines) with full margins as published.

Size (with small variations between the sheets: (sheet) 50.7 x 35.5 cm; (plate) 44 x 27.8 cm.

Numbered on plate at upper right corner on both sheets (“T. 46.”; “T. 44.”) and indexed with figures and letters.

For information about the Bidloo’s anatomical atlas in which these illustrations feature, see:

Christie’s Auction: Anatomy As Art: The Dean Edell Collection

(https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/bidloo-govard-1649-1713-anatomia-humani-corporis-centum-4959910-details.aspx); and,

Rare Prints Gallery

(https://www.rareprintsgallery.com/product/bidloo-govard-101/).

This publication is available to view online or to download free of charge from archive.org

(https://archive.org/details/gri_33125008642049/page/n329)

Condition: well-printed and near faultless impressions with minor spots appropriate to the age of the prints, otherwise the sheets are in excellent condition (i.e. there are no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, significant stains—again, there are a few spots—or foxing).

I am selling this pair of large masterpieces of engraving from one of the most famous series of anatomical illustrations created, for AU$550 in total for the pair (currently US$383.38/EUR336.55/GBP300.44 at the time of posting this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world (but not, of course, any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries).

If you are interested in purchasing this extraordinary and technically magnificent pair of engravings—the ideal gift for a man who loves his jewels—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

Abraham Blooteling & Pieter Stevens van Gunst's engraving, “Plate 99: Innominate with the Ischium”, 1685

Abraham Blooteling (aka Abraham Bloteling; Abraham Blotelingh; Abraham Blootelingh) (1640–1690) and Pieter Stevens van Gunst (aka Pieter van Gunst) (1658/ 59–c1731)

“Plate 99: Innominate with the Ischium”, 1685, after the drawing in the Ecole de Médicine, Paris, by Gerard de Lairesse (1640/41–1711) as plate 99 to Govard Bidloo’s (1649–1713) famous anatomical atlas, “Anatomia humani corporis / Ontleding des menschelyken lichaams", first published by the widow (de Weduwe van Joannes van Someren) (fl. after 1679) of Johan van Someren (1622–1676) in 1685 in Amsterdam.

In previous listings I showcased an impression (now sold) from the 1734 edition published by Jacob van Poolsum (1701–1762) in Utrecht that had 2.5 cm chainlines (rather than the 3 cm chainlines of this print) and on a sheet that is slightly smaller than this print leading me to propose that this impression is from the first edition.

Note that William Cowper (c1666–1709) also published an edition of the prints in 1739; see the description of the controversy about the Cowper edition offered by The Print Collector: http://www.theprintscollector.com/Article/Antique-Medical-Print-FOETUS-ABDOMEN-Cowper-Bidloo-1739.

Engraving on laid paper (3 cm chain-lines) with full margins as published.

Size: (sheet) 50.7 x 35.5 cm; (plate) 44.6 x 27.8 cm.

Numbered on plate at upper right corner: “T. 99.” and indexed, “Fig. 1” and “Fig. 2” and lettered from “A” to “H”.

For information about the Bidloo’s anatomical atlas in which this illustration is a part, see:

Christie’s Auction: Anatomy As Art: The Dean Edell Collection

(https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/bidloo-govard-1649-1713-anatomia-humani-corporis-centum-4959910-details.aspx);

Rare Prints Gallery

(https://www.rareprintsgallery.com/product/bidloo-govard-101/)

This publication is available to view online or to download free of charge from archive.org

(https://archive.org/details/gri_33125008642049/page/n329)

Condition:, crisp and well-printed, faultless impression with minor spots appropriate to the age of the print, otherwise the sheet is in excellent condition (i.e. there are no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, significant stains, foxing or signs of use).

I am selling this large masterpiece of anatomical engraving featuring in its design a sprig of holly and a lidded jar—see my explanation below regarding these elements in the composition—for AU$485 (currently US$341.50/EUR306.12/GBP264.1 at the time of posting this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world (but not, of course, any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries).

If you are interested in purchasing this extraordinary and technically magnificent print, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold

Regarding the curiously interesting addition of the sprig of holly and the lidded jar featuring in its design, the flaming Rod of Asclepius (i.e. the rod entwined with a snake wielded by the Greek God of healing and Medicine, Asclepius) holly leaves (symbolic of life) and a skull (symbolic of death), I suspect that the artist addressing the notion of Vanitas (i.e. the impermanence of life) which was a popular theme in Dutch art at the time of the print’s execution—the Dutch Golden Age.