Art in science: Giovanni Paolo Mascagni and the art of anatomy.

Abstract

Note from the Column Editors: Artists have studied anatomy for centuries, if not longer, to better understand the human form. For similar timeframes, anatomical dissections have been carried out by those curious about what lies beneath the skin in an effort to explain injury and illness, as well as to discover treatments for various conditions. Frequently, the artist and the physician-scientist have partnered to leverage ones skills in order to assist the other in achieving their goal(s). At times, as was the case with Giovanni Paolo Mascagni (1755–1815), the artist and the physician-scientist were one in the same. Mascagni, however, depended on skilled engravers to reproduce his observations for publication. This was the required technology for mass reproductions at the time. The remarkable illustrations of Frank H. Netter MD (1906–1991) had the advantage of more faithful means to replicate his art for our contemporary print media [8]. What both of these physician-artists, and their successful counterparts throughout the history of medicine, had in common were their ability to carefully observe, interpret, and convey their insights through the visual arts. We are indebted to our colleagues at the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute in Bologna, Italy for sharing another special work from this remarkable library. Gary E. Friedlaender MD, Linda K. Friedlaender BA, MS