Plate 7, Long Bones by Louis-Jacques Goussier

Plate 7, Long Bones by Louis-Jacques Goussier

1751

Engraving with Etching

Plate 7, labeled Chirurgie (Surgery), illustrates a variety of pathological bone conditions and surgical treatments associated with the diagnosis and repair of skeletal injuries. The engraving depicts long bones in various states of fracture, disease, degeneration, and healing, accompanied by specialized surgical instruments used in their treatment. Executed with the precision characteristic of Enlightenment scientific illustration, the plate was designed to educate medical practitioners on both the mechanical and biological aspects of bone surgery. As part of this landmark publication, the engraving reflects the eighteenth century's commitment to the systematic documentation and dissemination of medical knowledge.

This antique print originates from Encyclopédie, ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers, the monumental reference work edited by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d'Alembert. Published in Paris between 1751 and 1772, the original folio edition comprised 17 volumes of text and 11 volumes of engraved plates, containing more than 72,000 articles contributed by over 140 writers, scientists, philosophers, and artisans. Conceived as a comprehensive survey of human knowledge, the Encyclopédie documented the sciences, crafts, technologies, and fine arts while also serving as a powerful vehicle for the intellectual ideals of the French Enlightenment. Its emphasis on reason, empirical inquiry, and the dissemination of knowledge challenged traditional authorities and helped shape modern thought, making it one of the most influential publications of the eighteenth century.

Dimensions: H 15” x 10 ¼” W

Condition: some foxing consistent with age