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Part of the heart

H.G, Wetselaar

1974

From the collection of Leiden University Libraries

Dominant colour

Part of the heart is a 1974 by H.G, Wetselaar, held at Leiden University Libraries.

Who painted this?: H.G, Wetselaar
When & what style?: 1974
Where can I see it?: Leiden University Libraries

About this work

This drawing shows a close-up of a human heart, cut open to reveal its inside. The outer surface is detailed with veins and the thick muscle wall, while the inside exposes hollow chambers and valves. The artist used shading to show depth, making the tissue look soft but precise. The drawing focuses on anatomy without extra details, making it feel like a study rather than a story. The artist’s careful lines suggest they were interested in how the heart’s shape works. Next, look up cross-hatching to see how artists create shading like this.

About the artist

Artist

H.G, Wetselaar

H.G. Wetselaar spent his days hunched over microscopes in a quiet Leiden lab, sketching what most people ignore. His pencil caught the raw architecture of bodies we pretend are smooth—like the knotted muscles of a…

See the richer artist page