George Stubbs ARA, Human Skeleton: lateral view, 1804-06.
Etching. 477 mm x 375 mm. © Photo: Royal Academy of Arts, London. Photographer: John Hammond.
This image is not available to download. To licence this image for commercial purposes, contact our Picture Library at picturelibrary@royalacademy.org.uk
Human Skeleton: lateral view, 1804-06
George Stubbs ARA (1724 - 1806)
RA Collection: Art
These haunting images of the human form were drawn and etched by George Stubbs for his last great venture in the field of anatomy, a hugely ambitious, incomplete treatise entitled A Comparative Anatomical Exposition of the Human Body with that of a Tiger and Common Fowl, London, [1804-06]. Marking the culmination of his lifelong study of the subject, Stubbs's investigation of the homology of the bone structure of vertebrates was at the forefront of current scientific thought. However in his desire to prove his theories he drew the anatomical figure of a man that is so far from the classical norm as to evoke the pathos of ugliness.
Object details
477 mm x 375 mm
No I. (-III) Of A Comparative Anatomical Exposition Of The Structure Of The Human Body, With That Of A Tiger And Common Fowl; In Thirty Tables, Two Copper-Plates To Each Table, 20 Inches By 15; Forming Six Numbers - Ten Plates To Each Number. The Whole Executed By George Stubbs, Author Of "The Anatomy Of The Horse." Conditions ... [6 lines] - London:: [1803?-ca. 1806]
Start exploring the RA Collection
- Explore art works, paint-smeared palettes, scribbled letters and more...
- Artists and architects have run the RA for 250 years.
Our Collection is a record of them.
Related articles
-
![Life drawing]()
Inside the Academy
> 5 years ago
LifeDrawingLive: the anatomy class
From Leonardo da Vinci to George Stubbs, artists have long been inspired by the wonders of human and animal anatomy. In this special online class, we take a look at what lies underneath the skin and also draw from real-life models. Take the class and send us your drawings!
-
![RA cast display installation]()
Our Collection
6 months ago
Video: Historic casts are re-installed at the RA Schools
After years in storage, watch as our cast collection is re-installed around the RA Schools.
-
![Richard Cosway RA, Richard and Maria Cosway, and Ottobah Cugoano (detail)]()
Our Collection
1 year ago
Untold Stories
Recent research reveals how the Royal Academy’s founding artists worked amidst Britain’s imperial expansion in the 18th century, the transatlantic slave trade, and a growing abolitionist movement.
-
![Sir Joshua Reynolds PRA,, Self-portrait of Sir Joshua Reynolds, PRA]()
Our Collection
> 1 year ago
Creative inspiration today from the first President of the Royal Academy
The RA’s founding President Joshua Reynolds may have shaken up the art world when he delivered his ‘Discourses’ lectures, but are they still relevant now? We take a closer look at what artists and art-lovers can learn from the series today.
