The Anatomy Lesson of Nicolaes Tulp, painted by Rembrandt in 1632

Abstract

Abstract In 1632 Rembrandt painted his masterpiece known as The Anatomy Lesson of Nicolaes Tulp. This world-famous group portrait of the Amsterdam Guild of Surgeons depicts an anatomy lesson on the corpse of an executed criminal. Nicolaes Tulp, praelector anatomiae (lecturer in anatomy), performed an anatomical dissection of the forearm to teach anatomy to the surgeons who are standing next to him. By studying the original Guild documents and literature dealing with the painting, the lives and work of the represented surgeons, their teacher Nicolaes Tulp, and the criminal record of the man who ended as a corpse are elucidated. The anatomical accuracy of the displayed forearm in the painting is investigated by reproducing the dissection on a corpse. The Anatomy Lesson of Nicolaes Tulp by Rembrandt (1632) belongs to a famous series of anatomy lessons commissioned by the Amsterdam Guild of Surgeons in the 17th and 18th centuries. The painting shows Nicolaes Tulp, born as Claes Pieterszn but known by his adapted name Tulp (the tulip was chosen as a family emblem), dissecting the forearm of an executed criminal (Adriaan Adriaenszn). The corpse is surrounded by seven surgeons intensely observing Tulp's demonstration. The masterpiece is exhibited in the Royal Cabinet of Paintings in Museum Mauritshuis in The Hague, The Netherlands. Read more about the colourful characters and fascinating events surrounding this painting in an essay online.