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| Deutscher Infografikdienst |
MEDICAL ILLUSTRATION IN ANATOMY
Prof. Winfried L. Neuhuber, Full professor of anatomy at Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen/Germany |
THE MAKING AND CORRECTION OF ANATOMIC ILLUSTRATIONS
Professor Neuhuber, at the university of Erlangen you are offering the course “Anatomy for Artists”. Not only do you attach special importance on teaching the external form of the body and the relief-producing muscles and elements of the skeleton in a systematic way but also on shedding a light on the ingenious building principles of the human body. In your view, do medical-anatomic illustrations represent the ideal image form (as opposed to film or photography, for example) to convey the functionality of organs, tissue and cells and the structural-functional reality of the human body?
Professor Neuhuber: One advantage of illustrations over photographs is that they can intensify in an idealistic way the complex structures and thus make them more comprehensible. |
 Understanding the functionality of the body structures also necessitates the illustration and comprehension of tiny, microscopic structures. Is the traditional “artistic anatomy” a thing of the past? Is the high-quality drawing of medical illustrations still possible in the interdisciplinary team of artists and scientists?
Professor Neuhuber: The traditional artist anatomy is unsuitable for the scientifically correct illustration of anatomic proportions, but this is not its main goal. Nevertheless, I believe that the artist benefits from an insight into the “correct” anatomic proportions for his artistic work, not in such a way that he draws “more correct” muscle men afterwards, but that he obtains new artistic ideas resulting from the deeper insights.
And, besides, it has always been true that a precise medical illustration can only succeed in close co-operation between the artist and the scientist, also in personal union.
For centuries medical illustrations have united an extremely high degree of artistic standards and science. “Medical illustrators draw what can’t be seen, watch what’s never been done, and tell thousands about it without saying a word” (Frank Netter; MD). Could anatomic illustrations in our modern times which is characterised by an image glut, infotainment and the self-appointed society of knowledge experience a revival?
Professor Neuhuber: Was there a lack of interest in medical illustrations in the times before the image glut?
Occasional mistakes in anatomic drawings run through modern specialised literature like a thread. In the internet, images are researched, copied and often altered in an uncritical way (copy’n paste) so that, according to the interpretation of the legislature, the “artistic peak” has been reached and the copyright not been infringed. We deliberately put the emphasis on the expert creation and correction at the specimen. What, in your view, is going to happen with high quality standards in the future? Should anatomy atlases not be certified or be subjected to a quality management? |
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Professor Neuhuber: Who should certify? Anatomy atlases are compiled by anatomists. Every author is grateful for hints from colleagues regarding mistakes and errors in his text and the illustrations. If this instrument of colleague criticism is applied it is very efficient.
Is plastination or illustration the better way?
Professor Neuhuber: Plastination and illustration are not opposites. There are certain purposes for which each method is better suited than the other. Plastination is an excellent method to produce comprehensible specimen. Nevertheless, you should know exactly what you want to illustrate. The possibility to clarify specific structures which are hard to explain are limited which, incidentally, is true for any preparation technique. In these cases the illustration with its possibility to idealise (see above) can be of good use. |
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The German Info Illustration Service
Scientific medical counselling - For international publishing houses and image agencies
We have specialised in the production of medical and scientific illustrations and info illustrations in photo realism, as schematics or in 3D (also moving picture). Optionally, we also carry out scientific research and certified final editing. We also draw according to the original (in the specimen room) in all the current formats (photoshop, illustrator, pdf, tiff, EPS, jpg, Freehand FH9 -> FH11).
At the express wish of our customers, we also place authors and take over the responsibility for improved sales in the internet. Our international team consisting of 12 members in the division “Medical illustration” comprises physicians, experts, medical illustrators and info illustrators. We dispose of a comprehensive image archive of illustrations and modern info illustrations, we possess the rights thereof and conduct an international licensing business with them.
We are based in the “Haus der Bundespressekonferenz” (House of the Federal Press Conference) in “Berlin-Mitte”/Germany opposite the world famous “Charité” university clinical centre. Among our customers are international publishing houses, specialist magazines, daily newspapers and image agencies. |
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