Engraving of Skeleton

Engraving of Skeleton

Incunabula

Copper engravings (visual works)

Skeleton

Zoan Andrea, active 1475-1505

This unusual copper engraving is one of the earliest printed representations of the human skeleton, predating Andreas Vesalius' De humani corporis fabricaby nearly half a century. Only two other specimens are known.

The engraving appears to be only the fourth printed depiction of the skeleton and the first produced by copper engraving rather than woodcut. The archaic Italian inscription below reads "I cannot deny—I said, probably just before dying—that the agony that comes before dying is extremely painful, but even more painful is the fear of eternal damnation." When Librarian James F. Ballard first saw this engraving, its fine condition caused him to question its authenticity.

Copper engraving of skeleton, the fourth printed depiction of a skeleton and the first copper engraving of one, made by Zoan Andrea in Italy, circa 1494-1505

Zoan Andrea, active 1475-1505

1494-1505, circa

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Boston Medical Library Rare Books Collection (Ballard folio 109)

image

1 copper engraving

Italian

still image

DigID0002518

Purchased for the Boston Medical Library, 1936