This is one state from "The Four Seasons", a set of four seventeenth-century copperplate engraving of probably Flemish or German origin. Each of these engravings alludes to a season of the year, using the human body as an emblem for one of the "ages of man." The four engravings are in fact complex constructions with many movable parts, including superimposed paper flaps and volvelles. Though they constitute an impressive demonstration of the study of human anatomy, they also integrate many allusions to alchemy, astrology, astronomy, botany, geography, palmistry and zoology-offering a compelling impression of that age's inclusive concept of "natural philosophy".

"The Four Seasons" are one of the treasures of the History of Medicine Collections at the Duke University Medical Center Library. For more information (including 504 slides of these four engravings with different arrangements of their movable parts) visit: http://www.mc.duke.edu/mclibrary/respub/hmc/fourseasons.html