The image is an original handcolored ofgraveconcern creation based upon steampunk anatomy influenced by ‘L'homme Machine’ (Man a Machine, or the Human mechanism) written by the French physician and philosopher Julien Offray de La Mettrie (November 23, 1709 – November 11, 1751). First published in 1748, the work details materialist philosophy of the 18th century Enlightenment. The work expounded the belief that humans worked like a machine, their bodies, minds and mental states the process of mechanization. Furthering the materialistic philosophy of René Descartes (31 March 1596 – 11 February 1650), La Mettrie argued controversially for the period that humans were just complex animals composed of organized matter; based on his findings that sensory feelings were present in animals and plants.
L’Homme Machine. Anatomical Steam Punk Man. Tab VI. 1748
Recreation of titlepage with original illustrations. Printed on handmade paper resembling the look and feel of paper from the period the work was produced (8.5" x 11"), or textured watercolour paper (5"x7"). Printed with archival inks, and packaged in protective sheet and cardboard backing.