THE CANVAS WITHIN: A CHRONICLE OF ARTISTIC EXPLORATION AND MEDICAL DISCOVERY OF THE HUMAN BODY (24) SUNY ADK, 696 Route 9, Gansevoort, NY 12831. Room 207

Tuesdays, 9:30-11:00am, April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20

In this course, we will see how humanity came to perceive itself throughout history both in artistic representations of the human body, and the material composition of the body, what came to be known as the science of anatomy. These seemingly disparate approaches in knowing ourselves and describing the human condition have, in reality, continuous interactions. Both approaches have influenced one another during different cultures and periods of time. We will begin describing how in prehistory people saw themselves and interpreted the functions of their bodies. The remaining sessions will cover antiquity (Egypt, Greece, Rome), the European Middle Ages, the Early Modern period and the Enlightenment, art and anatomy in the last two centuries which introduced abstract and impressionist art along with the great Scientific Revolution. We'll end with the Modern and Postmodern interpretations in art and anatomy in what it means to be human, including focusing on how women have been represented, and how we've identified our humanity by way of one of our greatest anatomical distinctions, our hands. Please join me in this journey. It is based on a book I'm writing on the subject and has significant updates and new insights since last presented two years ago.

Leader: Dr. Gerald Stulc is a retired physician and surgeon, Chair of the A.L.L. Board of Directors, long-time teacher at A.L.L. with extensive experience in the medical issues of health and aging.