Dwarsdoorsnede baarmoeder - Lucas Kilian

A precise seventeenth-century anatomical engraving by Lucas Kilian, depicting a cross-section of the human uterus with clear, disciplined line work.

This engraving by Lucas Kilian presents a clinical, cross-sectional view of the human uterus. Kilian, a German engraver active in Augsburg, produced a wide range of works including portraits, architectural designs, and anatomical studies. This specific piece reflects the early modern interest in medical observation and the dissemination of anatomical knowledge through print media.

The composition is stark and functional. Kilian employs precise, disciplined line work to define the biological structures, using hatching to suggest volume and depth within the organ. The image lacks decorative embellishment, focusing entirely on the clarity of the anatomical form. Such prints were often produced for medical texts or as individual plates for scholars and physicians of the period.

As a piece of scientific illustration, the work demonstrates the technical rigour of seventeenth-century printmaking. The artist balances the requirement for objective representation with the stylistic conventions of his time, resulting in a clean, graphic aesthetic. The print serves as an example of how anatomical study was translated into visual language during the early seventeenth century, providing a clear, monochromatic view of human biology. The work is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, reflecting its historical value in the study of medical iconography.