Historiated initial L from book one of De humani corporis fabrica libri septem

There are historiated initials throughout the Fabrica, with ‘Putti’ - cherubs or cupids who are engaged in gruesome acts in the name of science. These very innocent looking ‘putti’ perform graphic and violent acts throughout the Fabrica that relate to the process of studying human anatomy.

This historiated initial L is from page 55. It shows "putti" removing a body after an execution for transport to be dissected, sanctioned by figure holding a cross. This image refers to the fact that Andreas Vesalius was regularly given bodies of executed prisoners to be dissected as part of his work.

The paints used by the first owner, German physician Caspar Neefe to colour the illustrations would have been made from the pigments available at the time, such as lapis-lazuli, azurite, malachite, calcite, and umber.

The Fabrica is considered one of the most important medical books ever published, and changed the way that anatomy was understood and taught.