Superficial Nerves of the Head and Neck, Antique Hirschfeld Anatomy Print, 1866

This antique anatomy print of the superficial nerves of the head and neck is an original 1866 hand colored lithograph from Hirschfeld and Leveille's Nevrologie atlas, published in Paris by G. Masson. It is plate 30 in the atlas. The plate shows a large lateral head and neck with the skin removed to reveal the superficial nerve network over the scalp, face, parotid and neck, with smaller figures of the temporal bone and ossicles, the base of the skull in section, and a dissection on a black ground.

The plate comes from the atlas to Ludovic Hirschfeld's Nevrologie et Esthesiologie, the second edition of his treatise and iconography of the human nervous system and the organs of sense, published in Paris by G. Masson in 1866. Every figure was drawn from life by J. B. Leveille directly from Hirschfeld's own dissections, printed as a lithograph by Lemercier of the rue de Seine, and colored by hand. Leveille's plates are among the most admired anatomical illustrations of the nineteenth century, exact enough to teach from and drawn with a restraint that keeps them beautiful rather than merely clinical.

This hand colored lithograph will appeal to collectors of the history of medicine and to anyone drawn to the meeting of art and science. Displayed on its own or alongside other plates from the Hirschfeld atlas, it suits a study, a library, a surgery or a thoughtfully furnished home.

This plate is in good condition for its age, with light age toning, scattered foxing, staining and marginal marks. The sheet also shows creasing and a small tear at the lower-left corner, with slight edge wear. The toning is consistent with age, and the images show further condition details.

This is an original antique plate, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.