Timeless Marvel of Human Anatomy Across Ages
In the heart of London, a remarkable piece of history has been brought back to life. The pinewood panels, known as the Evelyn Panels, have been a part of the Royal College of Surgeons' extraordinary collection since 1809. These panels, created over four centuries ago, offer a fascinating glimpse into the past, showcasing intricate anatomical details that were groundbreaking in their time.
Originally, these panels were used for anatomical drawing lessons by some surgeon-humanists from London on weekends. Each panel of this polyptych, or multi-panel work, showcases a part of the human body, from the spine and nerves to the lungs and the liver. The creator of the anatomical theater in Padua, where these panels were initially displayed, was Girolamo Fabrici d'Acquapendente, a promoter of colored anatomical illustrations.
The Evelyn Panels are a testament to the informal, material art of the Arte Povera movement. They bear a striking resemblance to works by Leonardo da Vinci and William Hunter, brother of John. The first three panels form fantastical figures resembling funny little men standing up, while the rest of the panels showcase bizarre figures resembling naturalia, such as tree branches, corals, or marine algae.
The author of these remarkable pinewood panels is believed to be Giovanni Leoni d'Este, an assistant to Prof. John Vesling in Padua in the first half of the seventeenth century. However, a recent discovery attributes the panels to Frederik Ruysch, a Dutch anatomist and artist known for his detailed anatomical specimens prepared in the 17th century.
Ruysch's Evelyn panels, recognised as the oldest anatomical preparations in Europe, have been on display at the Serpentine Gallery until September 7, 2023, as part of the exhibition of Giuseppe Penone titled "Thoughts in the roots, Pensieri nelle radici."
Before their recent rediscovery, these panels were casually placed at the entrance of the old display of Sir John Hunter's collection. Today, they appear under glass in the renewed museum of medicine and art embedded in the Royal College of Surgeons, which reopened on May 28, 2023.
The oldest anatomical theater in the world is located in Padua, inside Palazzo Bo, the university's seat. The anatomical theater in Padua was designed as a panoptic system and has remained untouched and perfectly preserved since 1594. Meanwhile, the Museum of the History of Medicine in Venice, located in the Scuola Grande di San Marco, houses a unique selection of stunning volumes, including the first "pop-up" books in history.
A gentleman of Indian origin, who is a retired doctor and a volunteer at the Hunterian Museum in London, provided valuable information about the Evelyn Panels. Despite recent search results not explicitly mentioning Ruysch as the artist behind the Evelyn Panels, historical knowledge suggests that he is widely credited with creating these early anatomical preparations. These panels continue to captivate audiences with their intricate detail and pioneering role in anatomical display in Europe.
The Evelyn Panels, initially used for anatomical drawing lessons during weekend sessions, are now captivating audiences at the Serpentine Gallery, showcasing the age-old art of anatomy and health-and-wellness in an intricate display. Although historical evidence initially credited Giovanni Leoni d'Este as the creator of these panels, a recent discovery attributes their creation to Frederik Ruysch, a pioneer in the field of science and the arts.
