Italy: Frontispiece of Bernardino Genga's 'Anatomia per Uso et Intelligenza del Disegno' (Rome: Domenico de' Rossi, 1691).

Bernardino Genga (1620–1690) was a scholar of Classical medical texts, editing several works of Hippocrates. He also had a great interest in the preparation of anatomical specimens as well as the anatomy of ancient Greek and Roman sculpture. These interests led to his work at the French Academy in Rome, where he taught anatomy to artists.

'Anatomia per Uso et Intelligenza del Disegno' consists of 59 copperplate engravings of text and illustrations printed on one side only. After the engraved title is a plate with allegorical emblems of death. Of the illustrated plates, the first 23 deal with osteology and myology drawn from Genga's anatomical preparations. The remainder consists of representations of antique statues viewed from different angles.

An English translation of the work appeared in London in 1723 under the title: 'Anatomy Improved'.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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Pictures From History