De humani corporis fabrica, Basilea, coll. A.S.2.27, 1543

Accademia di Belle Arti, Firenze

Vesalius’De humani corporis fabrica was the first major anatomy book based on observation and dissection to be published in Europe. With over 300 illustrations – etchings probably made by Titian’s pupil Jan van Calcar or in any case by someone from Titian’s workshop – this text was also the first to feature images so prominently. An osteology plate shows a standing skeleton seen from the side, with its left arm resting on a tombstone. Firmly in a melancholic pose, it caresses a skull with its right hand. On the tombstone, the inscription Vivitur ingenio, caetera mortis erunt (it is by virtue of genius that we survive, all else is death). For Renaissance humanists only genius, which encourages mankind to equal God in its creations, is imperishable.