Bilder Ambroise Paré (c. 1510–1590) – Illustration of a Human Anomaly – Woodcut (1634)

Beskrivning

This woodcut, from the English translation of Ambroise Paré's Des Monstres et Prodiges, depicts a human figure identified as a "monſter borne in Italy" with four arms, two legs, and both male and female characteristics. The accompanying text describes various cases of human and animal anomalies, reflecting the historical medical and scientific approach to congenital variations during the Renaissance. The illustration is an example of the era's focus on documenting unusual physical forms, which were categorized as "monsters and prodigies" within the scientific and medical literature of the time.

Ambroise Paré was a French barber surgeon, anatomist, and the father of modern surgery. He was a pioneering figure of the Renaissance who introduced a number of innovative techniques in medical practice, advocating for the use of cauterization and ligatures over more brutal methods. His influential work, Des Monstres et Prodiges, was a comprehensive study that documented physical anomalies, blending medical observation with historical accounts and folklore.

Artist or Maker: Ambroise Paré 

Dimensions: Approximately 30 x 20 cm 

Medium: Woodcut 

Date: 1634


Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.