Dwarsdoorsnede longen - Lucas Kilian

A detailed seventeenth-century anatomical engraving of the human lungs by German printmaker Lucas Kilian.

This engraving by Lucas Kilian presents a clinical, cross-sectional view of the human lungs. Kilian, a German printmaker 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 empirical observation and the dissemination of medical knowledge through the medium of print.

The composition is stark and functional. The artist employs precise, controlled lines to delineate the bronchial structures and the surrounding tissue. By using hatching and cross-hatching techniques, Kilian creates a sense of volume and depth within the organ, despite the two-dimensional nature of the engraving. The focus remains entirely on the anatomical form, stripped of extraneous detail, which allows for a clear understanding of the internal structure as it was understood during the seventeenth century.

Such illustrations were common in medical treatises of the period, where accurate visual documentation was necessary for practitioners and students alike. The work demonstrates the technical proficiency of the Augsburg school of printmaking, where clarity of line was prioritised to ensure that the scientific information remained legible. The print is a specimen of the intersection between art and science, where the aesthetic quality of the engraving supports the objective of anatomical education. It remains a curious example of how biological subjects were interpreted through the lens of traditional printmaking techniques.