The History of Eduard Pernkopf’s "Topographische Anatomie des Menschen"

Originally published in the Journal of Biocommunication, Vol. 15, No. 2, 1988

Abstract

This historical article by Professor David Williams first appeared in the Journal of Biocommunication in 1988. Based on the author's own experiences with Pernkopf illustrator Franz Batke in 1980 and 1981, the article offered the first historical overview of Eduard Pernkopf’s "Topographische Anatomie des Menschen." The author offers insight into the personal lives and unique work of the Pernkopf illustrators. The Editors wish to thank David for allowing the Journal to republish this seminal article.

Original 1988 Abstract:
Frequently misunderstood because of the history of the time in which it was produced, Eduard Pernkopf's Topographische Anatomie des Menschen nevertheless represents the pinnacle of color anatomic illustration. The more than 800 magnificent watercolor paintings of human anatomy found in Pernkopf's atlas occupied a number of Viennese artists for three decades. This article closely examines the work and its creators.