New Books Network Taylor McCall, "The Art of Anatomy in Medieval Europe" (Reaktion Books, 2023)
Nov 28, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Taylor McCall, a medievalist and managing editor of Speculum, delves into her book, highlighting the rich history of anatomical imagery in medieval Europe. She challenges the myth that Renaissance figures were the first to dissect, revealing how they actually built on earlier traditions. McCall explores the connections between anatomy, cosmology, and monastic practices, detailing the use of diagrams as spiritual tools. With insights into artistic creativity and pedagogical variations of anatomical images, this conversation illuminates a fascinating intersection of art and science.
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A Scholar's Path From UVA To Cambridge
- Taylor McCall traces her interest to undergraduate work with a mentor at the University of Virginia.
- She followed that to a master's at the Courtauld and a PhD at Cambridge, focusing on medical imagery.
Anatomy Was Integrated Into Medieval Worldview
- Medieval anatomical images were embedded in broader intellectual contexts rather than isolated 'scientific' diagrams.
- Taylor McCall shows they served devotional, cosmological, and educational purposes within medieval learning circles.
1165 Bavaria Marks The Earliest Dated Images
- The earliest dated medieval anatomical images appear around 1165 in a Bavarian monastery.
- These images then concentrate in Italy, England, France, and Germany through the late medieval period.
