New Books in History Taylor McCall, "The Art of Anatomy in Medieval Europe" (Reaktion Books, 2023)
Dec 3, 2025
Taylor McCall, a medieval art historian and managing editor of Speculum, dives into the fascinating world of anatomical imagery in medieval Europe. She challenges the notion that Renaissance figures like Leonardo da Vinci originated modern anatomy, instead highlighting the rich tradition from medieval surgeons and monks. McCall discusses early anatomical images, the role of dissection in medical training, and how cohesive connections were made between the body and the cosmos. She also explores innovative styles in manuscripts, revealing the diverse purposes these images served in historical contexts.
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From Student Interest To Accessible Book
- Taylor McCall traced her interest from undergraduate study at University of Virginia to a master's at the Courtauld and a PhD at Cambridge.
- She wrote The Art of Anatomy in Medieval Europe to reach undergraduates and general readers beyond her dissertation.
Anatomy Embedded In Cosmology
- Medieval anatomical images often predate human dissection and were tied to broader cosmological and spiritual ideas.
- Taylor McCall shows images were produced to situate the body within God's plan, not only as empirical diagrams.
Late Antique Roots And Transmission
- Many medieval anatomical images are copies of late antique originals, often transmitted through monastic manuscript copying.
- McCall links similar diagram traditions across Europe and the Middle East to a probable late-antique Greek ancestor.
