The Anatomy Illustration in Some of the Western and Iranian Medical Manuscripts

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Ph.D., Professor of Art History, Department of Art Research, Faculty of Arts and Architecture, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

Abstract

Medical knowledge and its scientific and practical experience have long been important among countries with longstanding backgrounds. One of the most important branches of medical science is the science of anatomy, which has contributed to the treatment of unknown diseases and the surgery of the organs of the body. Among the medical anatomy versions, those who have used body anatomy imaging have been more successful in conveying concepts and medical education and treatment of diseases. Since the Renaissance, great painters such as De Vinci or Jan van Calkar have had a grand interest in anatomical imagery and have presented a particular style. In Iran, some medical manuscripts, such as Mansouri’s Anatomy Book or Akbari Medicine, have a specific anatomy of the body. The purpose of this article is to study the anatomy of the human body in some medical versions of the West and Iran illustrated. For this purpose, several specimens of medical prescription manuscripts are selected as examples. In Western versions, the design and presentation of components of the body are very influential in the style of Greek and Roman sculpture, and the figures are statuesque. But in Persian versions, the anatomical figures have a flexible body and no contractual dry state.

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