17th century portrait of anatomist Govard Bidloo
This public domain image comes from a 17th century medical textbook, published by anatomist Govard Bidloo, who is the subject of the portrait in the above image. The hand-sketched visage is one of the many drawings found in this 300-year-old volume.
Bidloo’s text, Ontleding des menschelyken lichaams, was published in 1690 and contained this image. Because of this pre-1923 publication date, this image is in the public domain.
Hosted by the National Institute of Health website.
User Descriptions
03.23.10
The image is indeed very beautiful and it is only done by the pencil. Shading and detailing had made the picture look so beautiful. This image remind me of the olden times and the hardwork of artist in those days. In this picture each curl of wig is visible very clearly and the facial expression are also made in so much detail. By the magic of shading one have perfectly sketch out all the body parts very boldly and every small detailing have been taken care off. Not only the facial expression but also the clothing details have been taken care off. Bow and the coat and the sleeves and everything else. Even the object that is hold in the hand is clearly visible. So much detailing with just a pencil work is beyond imazination. Not only the picture of the person but the border drawn around the portrait is very decorative it gives the effect of wood. As well as the background around the protrait looks very well and that too gives the effect of wood. The picture looks like it has been rested on the wooden plank. Even the writing that is visible in the image are so beautiful and written very beautifully. Altogether the image is a great work of art.
03.23.10
HAND PORTRAIT:
The brilliant hand portrait what we are seeing was taken 300 years ago, but which looks fresh and new.It was a picture of Govard Bidloo who was an anatomist.The picture was clear cut sketch which looks almost like a photograph. Actually it is taken in 17th century and we can also see the description under the portrait.The person in the portrait has a curl and long hair, which was the fashion in that century and even we can see most of the court judges has the habit of having such hairs. They wont grow it purposely but they have the wick when they arrive to court.The dress looks like, he was wearing a cloth in silk material which is floating beautifully.The bow in his neck adds still more perfection to his dressing.The shape of the portrait was oval in shape of which almost all the pictures and sketches were in that shape and I think it was like rule for the portrait to be in oval shape.The description below was also very neatly sketched in the way not to spoil the portrait. It was actually the habit of the persons to have their own portraits with them which was mostly followed by the royal families and the scientist to make themselves appear along with their history. And it is true that we can not only have their history but also their face to remember lifelong.