Chapter 4 | ANATOMICAL STUDIES
Just like in humans, the form of an animal is determined by the skeleton and muscles. Anatomical studies are sometimes true masterpieces. This skeletal drawing of a dog was made by the Dutch architect/painter Christiaan Kramm (1797-1875).
In a book about feline predators, the Dutch artist Herbert van der Poll drew beautiful illustrations, such as the skeletal drawing of a lion from the side. Dead and stuffed animals were used for this type of highly detailed scientific drawing. Note the thin outline. This is the final shape of the lion.
The following study of likely the same lion, but now focusing on the muscles, is extraordinarily complex. Furthermore, all the bones and muscles are numbered and described in the book! Perfect study material for biologists and veterinarians.
The 19th-century Haitian artist John James Audubon made studies of birds in their natural habitat, in the forest, on the prairie and on river boat trips. He was also a forest ranger and even shot animals to stuff and study them, such as this delicately painted pelican. Make no mistake, Audubon was strongly against hunting for the thrill! Because of his painted catalogue of birds he can be seen as one of the founders of nature conservation. Some of the birds he painted are now extinct. Nowadays you can of course find stuffed animals such as the pelican he painted in natural history museums.
