The Human Body as a House — Toviyah Kats, 1708

Published in Venice in 1708, this extraordinary anatomical woodcut comes from Ma’a’seh Toviyah, the Hebrew encyclopedia of physician Toviyah Kats. The illustration transforms human anatomy into an architectural metaphor, placing the opened interior of a bearded human figure beside a carefully constructed multi-level house.

The figure reveals the principal organs of the torso, identified with Hebrew letters, while a column of Hebrew text separates the body from the architectural structure. Rooms, chambers, windows, figures, vessels, and other details within the house parallel the specialized functions of the body's organs. The result is a fascinating meeting of anatomy, architecture, medicine, typography, and visual metaphor from the early eighteenth century.

Artwork Details

• Artist: Toviyah Kats
• Title: The Human Body as a House
• Original title: Ma’a’seh Toviyah anatomical illustration
• Series: Ma’a’seh Toviyah
• Date: 1708
• Period: Early 18th century
• Place of Origin: Venice, Italy
• Medium: Woodcut

Framed Print Details

• Fine art printing: Professional 12-color fine art printing technology produces vivid, accurate colors with strong tonal depth and significantly greater nuance than standard 4-color inkjet printing.
• Paper: Smooth premium matte paper with a clean, glare-free finish.
• Paper weight: 200 gsm (80 lb).
• Paper thickness: 0.26 mm (10.3 mils).
• Frame material: Durable pine wood.
• Frame dimensions: Approximately 20 mm (0.79 in) deep and 10–14 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide.
• Protection: Shatterproof plexiglass protects the print while keeping the framed artwork lightweight.
• Ready to hang: A hanging kit is included, allowing the framed print to be mounted directly on the wall.
• Available sizes: Offered in a range of sizes to suit different spaces.
• Materials: Printed using FSC-certified paper and wood where available.
• Production: Each framed print is produced to order through a trusted international network of professional print studios.
• Shipping: Worldwide shipping is available.
• Made to order: There is no minimum order quantity. Each piece is printed and assembled on demand, reducing unnecessary stock and waste.

Exact frame dimensions, component availability, and production specifications may vary slightly depending on the selected size and destination.