Skeletons and Écorchés

Domenico del Barbiere, c. 1540 - c. 1550

Here the Italian artist Domenico del Barbiere shows his colleagues what the human musculature looks like. He casts his anatomical instruction in a narrative form. Next to each écorché (French for ‘skinned’) is a skeleton in the same pose. The laurel wreath worn by one of the figures refers to the transience of worldly fame, as do the war trophies behind it.

  • Artwork typeprint
  • Object numberRP-P-2018-567
  • Dimensionsheight 237 mm x width 337 mm
  • Physical characteristicsgravure