Abraham Blooteling & Pieter Stevens van Gunst's anatomical engravings of male genitals, 1685

Abraham Blooteling (aka Abraham Bloteling; Abraham Blotelingh; Abraham Blootelingh) (1640–1690) and Pieter Stevens van Gunst (aka Pieter van Gunst) (1658/ 59–c1731)

(left) “Plate 46: Testicles”, 1685

(right) “Plate 44: Male Genitals“, 1685

Both engravings are after drawings in the Ecole de Médicine (Paris) by Gerard de Lairesse (1640/41–1711) as illustration plates to Govard Bidloo’s (1649–1713) famous anatomical atlas, “Anatomia humani corporis / Ontleding des menschelyken lichaams", first published by the widow (de Weduwe van Joannes van Someren) (fl. after 1679) of Johan van Someren (1622–1676) in 1685 in Amsterdam.

In previous listings I showcased an impression (now sold) from the 1734 edition published by Jacob van Poolsum (1701–1762) in Utrecht that had 2.5 cm chainlines (rather than the 3 cm chainlines of these prints) and on a sheet that is slightly smaller leading me to propose that these impressions are from the first edition.

Note that William Cowper (c1666–1709) also published an edition of the prints in 1739; see the description of the controversy about the Cowper edition offered by The Print Collector: http://www.theprintscollector.com/Article/Antique-Medical-Print-FOETUS-ABDOMEN-Cowper-Bidloo-1739.

Engravings on laid paper (3 cm chain-lines) with full margins as published.

Size (with small variations between the sheets: (sheet) 50.7 x 35.5 cm; (plate) 44 x 27.8 cm.

Numbered on plate at upper right corner on both sheets (“T. 46.”; “T. 44.”) and indexed with figures and letters.

For information about the Bidloo’s anatomical atlas in which these illustrations feature, see:

Christie’s Auction: Anatomy As Art: The Dean Edell Collection

(https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/bidloo-govard-1649-1713-anatomia-humani-corporis-centum-4959910-details.aspx); and,

Rare Prints Gallery

(https://www.rareprintsgallery.com/product/bidloo-govard-101/).

This publication is available to view online or to download free of charge from archive.org

(https://archive.org/details/gri_33125008642049/page/n329)

Condition: well-printed and near faultless impressions with minor spots appropriate to the age of the prints, otherwise the sheets are in excellent condition (i.e. there are no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, significant stains—again, there are a few spots—or foxing).

I am selling this pair of large masterpieces of engraving from one of the most famous series of anatomical illustrations created, for AU$550 in total for the pair (currently US$383.38/EUR336.55/GBP300.44 at the time of posting this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world (but not, of course, any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries).

If you are interested in purchasing this extraordinary and technically magnificent pair of engravings—the ideal gift for a man who loves his jewels—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.