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Liber Historica
The Anatomists' Library: The Books that Unlocked the Secrets of the Human Body
The Anatomist's Library is a fascinating chronological collection of the best anatomical books from six centuries, charting the evolution of both medical knowledge and illustrated publishing.
There is a rich history of medical publishing across Europe with outstanding publications from Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, UK, and also many from Persia and Japan.
Because of the high value of accurate medical textbooks, it was these works that pushed the boundaries of illustrated publishing . They commanded the expert illustrators and skilled engravers and hence didn’t come cheaply. They were treasured by libraries and their intrinsic worth has meant that there is an incredible wealth of beautifully preserved historic examples from the 15th century onwards
The enduring popularity of Gray’s Anatomy has shown that there is a long-term interest in the subject beyond the necessity of medical students to learn the modern equivalent – the 42nd edition (2020) – from cover to cover. But Englishman Henry Gray was late in the field and never saw the enduring success of his famous work. Having first published the surgeon’s reference book in 1858, he died in 1861 after contracting smallpox from his nephew (who survived). He was just 34.
Gray was following on from a long tradition of anatomists starting with Aristotle and Galen whose competing theories about the human body dominated early medicine. However they did not have the illustrative skills of Leonardo da Vinci who was trained in anatomy by Andrea del Verrocchio. In 1489 Leonardo began a series of anatomical drawings depicting the human form. His surviving 750 drawings (from two decades) represent groundbreaking studies in anatomy. However none of Leonardo's Notebooks were published during his lifetime, they only appeared in print centuries after his death.
Brussels-born Andries van Wesel (Andreas Vesalius) professor at the University of Padua is deemed to be the founder of modern anatomical reference with his 1543 work De Humani Corporis Fabrica Libri Septem ("On the fabric of the human body in seven books"). An Italian contemporary was Bartolomeo Eustachi who supported Galen’s medical theories. Among other discoveries he correctly identified the Eustachian tube and the arrangement of bones in the inner ear. His Anatomical Engravings were completed in 1552, nine years after Vesalius’s great work, but remained unpublished until 1714.
These are just two entries in a book brimming with an abundance of important illustrated works – with some more primitive examples from the 15th century, up to the 42nd edition of Gray’s in the 21st.
There is a rich history of medical publishing across Europe with outstanding publications from Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, UK, and also many from Persia and Japan.
Because of the high value of accurate medical textbooks, it was these works that pushed the boundaries of illustrated publishing . They commanded the expert illustrators and skilled engravers and hence didn’t come cheaply. They were treasured by libraries and their intrinsic worth has meant that there is an incredible wealth of beautifully preserved historic examples from the 15th century onwards
The enduring popularity of Gray’s Anatomy has shown that there is a long-term interest in the subject beyond the necessity of medical students to learn the modern equivalent – the 42nd edition (2020) – from cover to cover. But Englishman Henry Gray was late in the field and never saw the enduring success of his famous work. Having first published the surgeon’s reference book in 1858, he died in 1861 after contracting smallpox from his nephew (who survived). He was just 34.
Gray was following on from a long tradition of anatomists starting with Aristotle and Galen whose competing theories about the human body dominated early medicine. However they did not have the illustrative skills of Leonardo da Vinci who was trained in anatomy by Andrea del Verrocchio. In 1489 Leonardo began a series of anatomical drawings depicting the human form. His surviving 750 drawings (from two decades) represent groundbreaking studies in anatomy. However none of Leonardo's Notebooks were published during his lifetime, they only appeared in print centuries after his death.
Brussels-born Andries van Wesel (Andreas Vesalius) professor at the University of Padua is deemed to be the founder of modern anatomical reference with his 1543 work De Humani Corporis Fabrica Libri Septem ("On the fabric of the human body in seven books"). An Italian contemporary was Bartolomeo Eustachi who supported Galen’s medical theories. Among other discoveries he correctly identified the Eustachian tube and the arrangement of bones in the inner ear. His Anatomical Engravings were completed in 1552, nine years after Vesalius’s great work, but remained unpublished until 1714.
These are just two entries in a book brimming with an abundance of important illustrated works – with some more primitive examples from the 15th century, up to the 42nd edition of Gray’s in the 21st.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published July 20, 2023
2 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Colin Salter
51 books7 followersEdinburgh-based writer Colin Salter is the author of 100 Letters That Changed The World, 100 Speeches That Changed The World and the co-author with Scott Christianson of 100 Books That Changed The World.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 21, 2023
I loved this book. The writing is crisp and clear. The images are stunning. Not only is this a great book to read, it would make a great gift for anyone interested in the history of books or in the history of medicine. Thank you to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Ivy Press for the digital review copy.
July 15, 2023
Important note about my rating below**
I guarantee that you will learn something new from this book and that you will see illustrations you've never seen before, and you'll definitely notice the shifting sands of time and history, rise and fall off cultures and morality.
Unless I missed it, there's not much critique/comment about the differences between the way women's bodies are portrayed vs men's, especially when it comes to reproductive organs/sex characteristics. I've previously read that the clitoris hadn't been identified in medical illustrations and yet I see it popping up on several early illustrations (without comment from the author), so that's piqued my interest. Note that if you're looking for 20th century illustrations, you won't find much here.
**
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for access to a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review, but unfortunately, I could only skim it before archiving. The illustrations alone are worth the price of admission, though I'm not entirely convinced of the author's credentials & by the writing. So please take my 4* review with a grain of salt.
I guarantee that you will learn something new from this book and that you will see illustrations you've never seen before, and you'll definitely notice the shifting sands of time and history, rise and fall off cultures and morality.
Unless I missed it, there's not much critique/comment about the differences between the way women's bodies are portrayed vs men's, especially when it comes to reproductive organs/sex characteristics. I've previously read that the clitoris hadn't been identified in medical illustrations and yet I see it popping up on several early illustrations (without comment from the author), so that's piqued my interest. Note that if you're looking for 20th century illustrations, you won't find much here.
**
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for access to a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review, but unfortunately, I could only skim it before archiving. The illustrations alone are worth the price of admission, though I'm not entirely convinced of the author's credentials & by the writing. So please take my 4* review with a grain of salt.
June 23, 2023
Colin Salter's "The Anatomists' Library" is a fascinating chronological collection of the best anatomy books from the last six centuries, demonstrating to the reader the evolution of medical knowledge and illustrated publishing.
Interesting points made in the text that snagged my attention:
1. books are like time capsules - they preserve the knowledge and attitudes/mores of their age
2. to know anatomy is to know our real selves
What one can expect to learn from this book:
1. what we view as modern science of anatomy began in the 16th century
2, anatomy has been taught in art schools since the Renaissance
3. earliest written texts about anatomy date back 5000 years (amazing!!)
4. the stories of some famous figures and their roles in the development of the study of anatomy, i.e, Imhotep; Hippocrates; Galen; Avicenna; Leonardo da Vinci; Henry Gray; Franz Joseph Gall; Robert Hooke; William Cowper
5. macroscopic understanding of anatomy was virtually complete by the end of the 19th century
6. at the start of the 20th century, the work of the 18th century pioneers regarding the microscope is now the driving force behind medical research
7. how the steady march of technological progress in the 20th and 21st centuries has made present society far more literate scientifically than before
One will also enjoy the abundant illustrations that show the evolving knowledge about the human body and what it looks like inside. The images go from being crude to becoming extremely detailed. I particularly enjoyed the images dating from the Renaissance to the end of the 1800s, probably because that span is my favorite time period in history.
The book concludes by pointing out the fact that our fascination continues on, as evidenced by the abundance of books (both academic and secular), study aids, and a plethora of medical shows (both fictional and factual).
Overall, an interesting book for anyone interested in history and medicine and art. Thanks to Quarto Publishing - Ivy Press and NetGalley for this arc, which I voluntarily read and reviewed.
Interesting points made in the text that snagged my attention:
1. books are like time capsules - they preserve the knowledge and attitudes/mores of their age
2. to know anatomy is to know our real selves
What one can expect to learn from this book:
1. what we view as modern science of anatomy began in the 16th century
2, anatomy has been taught in art schools since the Renaissance
3. earliest written texts about anatomy date back 5000 years (amazing!!)
4. the stories of some famous figures and their roles in the development of the study of anatomy, i.e, Imhotep; Hippocrates; Galen; Avicenna; Leonardo da Vinci; Henry Gray; Franz Joseph Gall; Robert Hooke; William Cowper
5. macroscopic understanding of anatomy was virtually complete by the end of the 19th century
6. at the start of the 20th century, the work of the 18th century pioneers regarding the microscope is now the driving force behind medical research
7. how the steady march of technological progress in the 20th and 21st centuries has made present society far more literate scientifically than before
One will also enjoy the abundant illustrations that show the evolving knowledge about the human body and what it looks like inside. The images go from being crude to becoming extremely detailed. I particularly enjoyed the images dating from the Renaissance to the end of the 1800s, probably because that span is my favorite time period in history.
The book concludes by pointing out the fact that our fascination continues on, as evidenced by the abundance of books (both academic and secular), study aids, and a plethora of medical shows (both fictional and factual).
Overall, an interesting book for anyone interested in history and medicine and art. Thanks to Quarto Publishing - Ivy Press and NetGalley for this arc, which I voluntarily read and reviewed.
February 6, 2024
A book about books that demonstrates the development and transmission of knowledge about the human body. Colin Slater's The Anatomists' Library is a visually rich chronology of the history of anatomy from the ancient world through to the present.
Divided into eras linked to specific time periods or key scientific breakthroughs, the reader journeys through the surviving writings and art works that display understandings of the human body. Highly detailed studies, artistically inspired tableaus and in later periods near photographic illustrations. Slater offers brief biographies of many important figures with an emphasis on their training, discoveries and contributions to anatomy. Alongside the entries, there are frequently excepts showing representative illustration prints, the title pages of the published work or portraits.
While predominately focused on Europe, Slater does take moments to include other geographic regions and their practices and understandings. Slater also does not shy from controversies that arose in the quest for knowledge such as the risks of being burned alive for disagreeing with the church or difficulties in acquiring bodies leading to the illegal 'resurrection' industry. It clearly asks the reader to consider the cost human cost of learning our our interiors. In general the bulk of the book looks to the centuries of greatest discovery, the Renaissance to the Age of Industrialization.
Highly recommended for scholars or readers of the history of medicine, also of interest to librarians or those researching the distribution of knowledge.
I received a free digital version of this book via NetGalley thanks to the publisher.
Divided into eras linked to specific time periods or key scientific breakthroughs, the reader journeys through the surviving writings and art works that display understandings of the human body. Highly detailed studies, artistically inspired tableaus and in later periods near photographic illustrations. Slater offers brief biographies of many important figures with an emphasis on their training, discoveries and contributions to anatomy. Alongside the entries, there are frequently excepts showing representative illustration prints, the title pages of the published work or portraits.
While predominately focused on Europe, Slater does take moments to include other geographic regions and their practices and understandings. Slater also does not shy from controversies that arose in the quest for knowledge such as the risks of being burned alive for disagreeing with the church or difficulties in acquiring bodies leading to the illegal 'resurrection' industry. It clearly asks the reader to consider the cost human cost of learning our our interiors. In general the bulk of the book looks to the centuries of greatest discovery, the Renaissance to the Age of Industrialization.
Highly recommended for scholars or readers of the history of medicine, also of interest to librarians or those researching the distribution of knowledge.
I received a free digital version of this book via NetGalley thanks to the publisher.
September 15, 2023
The Anatomist's Library by Colin Salter is a tour through medical history. Divided into six chapters, Salter explores medical texts from the ancient world of Galen and Hippocrates to today's modern world.
The book is full of beautiful illustrations, primarily with informative captions, making for engaging reading. It was quite fascinating to see the evolution of medical knowledge. And some of these pics are pretty wild! Overall, Salter's The Anatomist's Library is perfect for aspiring anatomists, medical personnel, and even for students of art history.
***Many thanks to Netgalley & Quarto for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The book is full of beautiful illustrations, primarily with informative captions, making for engaging reading. It was quite fascinating to see the evolution of medical knowledge. And some of these pics are pretty wild! Overall, Salter's The Anatomist's Library is perfect for aspiring anatomists, medical personnel, and even for students of art history.
***Many thanks to Netgalley & Quarto for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
July 20, 2023
It's a great book even without any verbiage. There is an obvious deep dive into extant illustrations faithfully rendered from past prints which show the progression of knowledge about the human body through time. I geek history and work with damaged human bodies, so of course I appreciate the efforts of the author/historian and happy that he did all the work!
I requested and received an EARC on Adobe Digital Editions from Quarto Publishing Group/Ivy Press
via NetGalley. Thank you!
I requested and received an EARC on Adobe Digital Editions from Quarto Publishing Group/Ivy Press
via NetGalley. Thank you!
May 28, 2023
Arc netgalley review
This book was so over whelming in the best kind of way. The author didn’t miss a thing, from the content to the photography content to support everything. I learned so much from this book. Highly recommend this to anyone who collects this content or interest in this topic.
This book was so over whelming in the best kind of way. The author didn’t miss a thing, from the content to the photography content to support everything. I learned so much from this book. Highly recommend this to anyone who collects this content or interest in this topic.
July 14, 2025
I had to take an Art History class (along with a music class) to fulfil undergraduate requirements. The art class required that we write a short paper about an artist. Because I was interested in anatomic artwork, I chose Andreas Vesalius, who really wasn’t an artist, but an anatomy professor at the University of Padua.
Vesalius’ monumental 1543 De Humani Corporis Fabrica Libri Septem (“On the Fabric of the Human Body in Seven Books”) was a groundbreaking work of human anatomy. I don’t recall my art history teacher rejecting my request and subsequent paper on Vesalius and I likely received a high mark (given that I received an “A” for the course).
I love anatomical artwork. I own the complete set of books published by Ciba-Geigy of the works of Dr. Frank Netter (known as the “Green Books”). Dr. Netter’s illustrations, to me, represent the pinnacle of medical illustrations.
And now I come to this book, The Anatomists' Library—The Books that Unlocked the Secrets of the Human Body but conspicuous by its absence is any exploration of medical art of the Twentieth and Twenty-first Centuries. To leave out any mention of Netter’s work is criminal as he created over 4,000 illustrations, many of them included in the Ciba-Geigy tomes that I mentioned above.
This isn’t to say that this isn’t an excellent book. In fact, the author does a masterful job of explaining the history behind the illustrations that are included in the book.
I would recommend this book for anyone interested in anatomical art prior to the Twentieth Century.
4/5 stars
[Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the advanced ebook copy in exchange for my honest and objective opinion which I have given here.]
Vesalius’ monumental 1543 De Humani Corporis Fabrica Libri Septem (“On the Fabric of the Human Body in Seven Books”) was a groundbreaking work of human anatomy. I don’t recall my art history teacher rejecting my request and subsequent paper on Vesalius and I likely received a high mark (given that I received an “A” for the course).
I love anatomical artwork. I own the complete set of books published by Ciba-Geigy of the works of Dr. Frank Netter (known as the “Green Books”). Dr. Netter’s illustrations, to me, represent the pinnacle of medical illustrations.
And now I come to this book, The Anatomists' Library—The Books that Unlocked the Secrets of the Human Body but conspicuous by its absence is any exploration of medical art of the Twentieth and Twenty-first Centuries. To leave out any mention of Netter’s work is criminal as he created over 4,000 illustrations, many of them included in the Ciba-Geigy tomes that I mentioned above.
This isn’t to say that this isn’t an excellent book. In fact, the author does a masterful job of explaining the history behind the illustrations that are included in the book.
I would recommend this book for anyone interested in anatomical art prior to the Twentieth Century.
4/5 stars
[Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the advanced ebook copy in exchange for my honest and objective opinion which I have given here.]
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews