Art and literature in the anatomy of Charles Bell.

The artistic gifts of Sir Charles Bell (1774-1842) directed the course of his life's work. There is a fairly extensive literature on the discoveries of Bell in neurology and myology but comparatively poorly documented are the ways in which Bell exploited his aesthetic talents and erudition to communicate his findings to others. This study attempted to answer the question; how did Bell use art and literature to teach anatomy? The problem is all the more interesting because, in keeping with the spirit of education and improvement of the day, Charles Bell did not limit himself to addressing the medical profession but spoke to a wider public, dwelling on artists in particular. Bell's oil paintings and drawings, and the early editions of his written works, as well as their reviews in the contemporary press formed the main source material of this study.