De Humanis Corporis Fabrica (On the Fabric of the Human Body) was published by Andreas Vesalius (1514-1564) in the year of 1543.
This book is based on his Paduan lectures, during which he deviated from common practice by disecting a corpse to illustrate what he was disscussing. It presents a careful examination of the organs and the complete structure of the human body. This would would not have been possible without the many advances that had been made during the Renaissance, including both the artistic developments and the technical developement of printing. Becuase of this, he was able to produce superior illustrations to any that had been produced up to then.
On the Fabric of the Human Body rectified some of Galen's worst errors, including the notion that the great blood vessels originated from the liver. Even with his improovements, Vesalius clung to some of Galen's errors, such as the idea that there was a different type of blood flowing through each the veins and arteries.
It was not until William Harvey's work on the circulation of the blood that Galen's misconception would be rectified.
Andries went on to serve as apothecary to Maximillian, and later a Valet de Chambre to his successor Charles V. He encouraged his son to continue in the family tradition, and enrolled him in the Brethren of the Common Life in Brussels to learn Greek and Latin according to standards of the era.
In 1543, Vesalius published the seven-volume Dehumanicorporisfabrica (On the fabric of the human body), a groundbreaking work of human anatomy he dedicated to Charles V and which was illustrated by Titian's pupil Jan Stephen van Calcar.
A few weeks later he published an abridged edition for students, Andrea Vesalii suorum dehumanicorporisfabrica librorum epitome, and dedicated it to Philip II of Spain, son of the Emperor.
Feeds |
Contact