A System of Dissections, explaining the anatomy of the human body, and the manner of displaying the parts, and their varieties in disease.

Sir Charles Bell, 1798

Sir Charles Bell’s A System of Dissections, explaining the anatomy of the human body, the manner of displaying the parts, and their varieties in disease gives us much insight into late 18th century anatomical dissection. Bell (1774-1842) was the first professor of anatomy and surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons in London. First published in 1798, his A System of Dissections… contains stunning engravings that Bell himself drew. Throughout the 18th century the surgeon/artist would increasingly be relegated to the pages of history, but Bell’s extraordinarily accurate drawings give faithful representations of his findings at dissection and showcase his artistic skill.