Renaissance anatomy book sold for €2.2M

A rare second edition of a classic book on the human form by Renaissance anatomist Andreas Vesalius recently surpassed its high estimate of $1.2 million and sold for $2.2 million in an online book and manuscript auction at Christie's . A retired Canadian doctor bought the book at auction for just $14,000 in 2007.

The book, titled “De humani corporis fabrica libri septem,” or “On the Fabric of the Human Body in Seven Books,” which the auction house calls “the greatest anatomical atlas of the Renaissance and a masterpiece of medical science, pedagogy and typographic design” was printed in 1555. It was sold to the Flemish Community, Department of Culture, together with the university KU Leuven. It turns out that the author graduated from the same university.

The second edition expanded the first edition, printed in 1543, by almost 160 pages. Not content to rest on his laurels, Vesalius made corrections to the first edition, incorporated new information from cadaver dissections, and responded to criticisms of the first edition.

This copy is heavily marked by the author with notes for a third edition, which was never made. Vesalius's influential book was a response to the physician-philosopher Galen of Pergamum, whose theories had reigned supreme since his death in 216. From experience dissecting corpses, Vesalius was able to identify errors in Galen's text, which he corrected with taste at its own volume.

Vesalius oversaw all aspects of the book's design, including layouts, illustrations, and typography. The “muscular men” stand out, 14 woodcut representations of the human form that reveal musculature, which are highly recognizable and often resemble poses from Renaissance paintings. The artist's identity continues to be the subject of some debate.

“Although Vesalius encouraged human investigation through direct observation of dissection,” says Rhiannon Knol, an expert in Christie's books and manuscripts department, “it was not practical for all doctors to be able to perform dissections on human bodies, so this book was often used in place of dissection.”

Source: Artnet News