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The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Tulp

From the Department of Orthopaedic, Traumatologic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital Avicenne, Bobigny, France

Correspondence: Dr A.C. Masquelet, Department of Orthopaedic, Traumatologic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital Avicenne, Univ Paris XIII, 125 Route de Stalingrad, Bobigny, France E-mail: acmasquelet{at}free.fr

The anatomy lesson of Dr Tulp is one of the most famous paintings by Rembrandt. A detailed examination of the scene leads us to believe that Dr Tulp was demonstrating the function of the flexor digitorum superficialis. Therefore, the painting is a true lesson in physiology which is in keeping with the spirit of the 17th century, which was the century in which the modern theory of movement in physics evolved. The anatomy lesson of Dr Tulp also symbolizes the break with the descriptive anatomy of Vesalius which occurred during this century.

Key Words: anatomy • Rembrandt

Journal of Hand Surgery (British and European Volume), Vol. 30, No. 4, 379-381 (2005)
DOI: 10.1016/J.JHSB.2004.11.005


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