Comparison of Rembrandt's The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp with Thomas Eakins' The Gross Clinic - Essay Example

Comparison of Rembrandt’s The Anatomy Lesson and Thomas Eakin’s The Gross Clinic Rembrandt’s The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp is a masterpiece created in 1632 by the young artist. The oil painting housed in Mauritshuis Museum in the Netherlands, depicts Dr. Tulp, the anatomist, showing a group of curious citizens and medical professionals the musculature of a cadaver’s left arm (Masquelet). A later oil painting, The Gross Clinic, beautifully done by the American artist, Thomas Eakin in 1875, portrays Dr.

Gross operating a young man’s leg while lecturing to a group of medical students (Floryan 2011). This life-like work of genius hangs proudly in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Both artists, through the use of fantastic stylistic techniques, accurately represent the medical practices of their times. Rembrandt’s The Anatomy Lesson shows a group of seven on-lookers curiously examining the muscles of the left forearm held open by Dr. Tulp. The application of rich black and gray colors used in the clothing and background aptly signifies the dark and somber mood of death.

The background is faded and obscured in shadow further highlighting the focus of the event for both observers, the people in the painting and us. Also, Dr. Tulp is the only one shown wearing a wide-brimmed black hat, marking his prominence and social status as the teacher and anatomist. The pale body of the convicted armed robber lies on the anatomy table in stark contrast to the dark clothes of the people gathered around him (Masquelet). There is also a shadow half covering his face, symbolizing the shadow of death that has fallen over him.

Rembrandt skillfully handles the use of light and dark tones to create a mood of morbidity and curiosity. For example, a light seems to be illuminating the peoples’ faces while the darkness of their clothes almost blends into each other. This technique amplifies their expressions of inquisitiveness. Also, the only real colors in the paintings are the dark red and yellow of the muscles and tendons, drawing everyone’s attention to the anatomy lesson taking place. Eakin’s The Gross Clinic shows a room full of medical students being taught a lesson in surgical procedures by Professor Gross.

Through the use of light and contrast, Eakin attracts us to the two main focuses of the painting, himself and the doctor. For example, a light illuminates the professor’s head and face, showing the thoughtful expression of Dr. Gross while the rest of his team diligently works away at the leg. Also, a young Eakin is portrayed behind the professor’s right shoulder, studiously taking notes at his white desk, which firmly stands out from the rest of his fellow students whose faces and bodies fade away in the background (Floryan 2011).

There is also a woman to the right of the professor, cringing and hiding her face possibly symbolizing the reaction of the general public upon viewing either the painting or such surgical procedures. Eakin effectively captures the action and intensity of the moment by showing the spread out surgical instruments, hunched over team of professionals and even the professor’s bloody right hand. Both Eakin and Rembrandt portray the people in the paintings wearing dark clothes in order to reflect a grave and somber atmosphere.

Their works are unique and astonishing, admirably portraying the bluntness and truth of medical procedures. For example, Eakin shows the surgeons busy with sewing and cutting away at the bleeding leg while all the students look on. Similarly, Rembrandt paints Dr. Tulp professionally holding the arm muscles aside, exposing everything to all the curious observers. Both artists skillfully make use of the light and dark tones, to highlight the focus of their paintings in order to draw the viewers’ attention to it.

The two masterpieces are also distinctive in their stylistic differences. Rembrandt doesn’t show any tools, medical instruments, or even blood. The body has already been prepared as if the task of cutting and dissecting is a menial and dirty one best left up to others. The only tool shown is the forceps used by Dr. Tulp to hold the muscles aside. There is a sense of uniformity and stillness, with the pale cadaver lying bare for everyone to see and the curious faces hanging over it without actually coming into contact with the body.

The idea of an anatomy lesson is further enhanced by the large book lying at the body’s feet. Also, Rembrandt highlights everyone’s presence and individuality by illuminating all of their expressions and faces. On the other hand, Eakin focuses on primarily Dr. Gross and his team, as well as himself behind the professor, while the rest of the students’ faces and expressions are blurred in the background. Also, he paints a whole variety of surgical tools lying by the table and being held by both Dr.

Gross and the other surgeons. The professor holds a scalpel in his bloody hand, at the moment lost in thought, while the team is busily hunched over the leg. The rest of the body is not even visible to the on-looking students or the viewers of the painting. This creates a sense of movement and development, for it highlights not only the act of teaching and giving a lesson but also performing. Rembrandt’s The Anatomy Lesson shows how such an incident was regarded as a social event during the 17th century.

The group in the painting is composed of both doctors and the general public, showing how such practices were available for all to view. Also, the representation of a group portrait symbolizes the “up-and-coming middle class” of the time (Masquelet). The body used was that of a felon, depicting how anatomists, like Tulp, were allowed only one dissection a year and that too of only a criminal (Masquelet). Eakin’s The Gross Clinic, shows the professor and his team wearing only long black coats, representing the time before the adoption of hygienic practices.

However, by showing the leg being operated on, instead of merely amputating it, indicates the emergence of surgery and development in science at the time. Both works of mastery successfully epitomize the spirit and give the viewers a glimpse into the life and practices of the medical profession during their times. Works Cited Floryan, Meg. Eakins's the Gross Clinic. Smarthistory.org, 2011. Web. 20 Apr. 2011 Masquelet, A., C. Rembrandt’s Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp (1632). Web. 20 Apr.

2011 Stokstad, Marilyn and Michael W. Cothren. Art History, Fourth Edition. Laurence King Publising Ltd. Pearson, 2011. Print.