Part 2. Dissection as Theatre: Rembrandt and the Anatomy Paintings of the Dutch Golden Age

This podcast takes off after the first part (discussing the economic and political conditions of the Dutch provinces in the 17th Century) and considers the Anatomy Lesson paintings that are curated in Amsterdam. Two evocative portraits The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp and The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Jan Deijman executed by Rembrandt are examined on the background of his bankruptcy and the death of his beloved wife Saskia at the tender age of 30 from Tuberculosis. These paintings continued to be produced despite the charges against the Amsterdam Guild of Surgeons of corruption which resulted in its eventual disbandment.