Zodiac or Vein Man

Original Creator
Daniel Ricco (Unknown, Italy, anatomist/artist); Francesco Minniti (unknown, Italy, anatomist)

Original Creation Date
ca. 1690

Description
This woodcut was part of Ricco’s Ristretto Anotomico as well as Minniti’s Armonia Astro-Medico-Anotomica. The illustration depicts the human body with the spine and rib cage revealed. It also exposes the extremities’ veins and arteries. The engraving is unique as it connects different body parts to their respective astrological signs, of which were believed to influence. Rather than treat the body as a whole system, the woodcut addresses the body as a collection of different categorized parts.

Rights
Courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. This image is in the public domain.