# The Anatomy Lesson of Doctor Sebastiaen Egbertsz. [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [PIETERSZ., Aert]() - Date: 1551-1600 - Technique: Oil on canvas, 147 x 392 cm ## Commentary The Anatomy Lesson of Doctor Sebastiaen Egbertsz. 1603 Oil on canvas, 147 x 392 cm Amsterdam Museum, Amsterdam The Amsterdam surgeons engaged Aert Pietersz. to paint their group portrait in 1601. In this picture all of the master surgeons are gathered fraternally around the dissecting table, and Doctor Sebastiaen Egbertsz. is just about to begin the anatomy lesson. The picture recalls sixteenth-century group portraits of fraternities and civic guards, this time, however, the traditional banquet has been replaced by an anatomy lesson as the connecting element in the composition. The discreet placement of the cadaver on the table confirms that the sitters were interested primarily in their likenesses. Every single gaze is directed at the viewer. The names of the sitters are inscribed on the banderole at the lower right. ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()