Versierde initialen
Medium
paper
Dimensions
42; 42
About this artwork
Prent uit: Vesalius, Andreas. De Humani Corporis Fabrica. Bazel: Jan Herpst, 1543.
Art Historical Context
Behold the delicate "Versierde initial" (Decorated Initials), a tiny gem measuring just 42mm by 42mm, printed on paper in 1543. This woodcut, attributed to the skilled hand of Jan Stefan van Cal, graces the pages of Andreas Vesalius's groundbreakingDe Humani Corporisrica*, published in Basel by Jan Herpst. Vesali's opus revolutionized anatomy, replacing ancient Galenic texts with precise, empirical observations from human dissections. Van Calcar, a Flemish artist trained in the Renaissance tradition, collaborated closely with Vesalius to produce the book's iconic illustrations. These ornate i...