Accouchement Collection

The birth of Saint John the Baptist. Detail of the Bas-Relief of the Baptismal Font made by Jacopo della Quercia
BEN5474943 The birth of Saint John the Baptist. Detail of the Bas-Relief of the Baptismal Font made by Jacopo della Quercia (1374-1438), 1427. Baptistery in Siena, Italy

Smellie's surgical instruments used to assist childbirth: short curved forceps and catheter
FLO4696251 Smellie's surgical instruments used to assist childbirth: short curved forceps and catheter. Copperplate engraving by Andrew Bell after an illustration by Jan van Rymsdyk from William

Myrrrha, transformed into a tree, gives birth to Adonis - Myrrrha gives birth to Adonis
FLO4607789 Myrrrha, transformed into a tree, gives birth to Adonis - Myrrrha gives birth to Adonis and is metamorphosed into a myrrh tree. Copperplate engraving by W

Galanthis is transformed into weasel by Illythia, goddess of childbirth - The transformation of Galanthis into a weasel
FLO4607719 Galanthis is transformed into weasel by Illythia, goddess of childbirth - The transformation of Galanthis into a weasel by Lucina, goddess of childbirth. Copperplate engraving by W

Fetus head helped through the birth canal with forceps. Copperplate engraving by Andrew Bell after an illustration by
FLO4695943 Fetus head helped through the birth canal with forceps. Copperplate engraving by Andrew Bell after an illustration by Jan van Rymsdyk from William Smellie's A Set of Anatomical Tables

Birth of Saint John the Baptist' Miniature illustrating 'Liber sacramentorum' (ms. 1275, f)
BEN5475158 Birth of Saint John the Baptist' Miniature illustrating 'Liber sacramentorum' (ms. 1275, f. 18 v) 10th or 11th century, Biblioteca Governativa

Episode of Mary's life: the birth of Mary. Painting by Francesco Borgani (17th century)
VEN5033959 Episode of Mary's life: the birth of Mary. Painting by Francesco Borgani (17th century) Church of San Martino and Nicola, Viadana

Smellie's instruments used to assist childbirth: straight short forceps, single arm of the forceps, and blunt hook
FLO4696211 Smellie's instruments used to assist childbirth: straight short forceps, single arm of the forceps, and blunt hook

Perineum and external parts stretched by the fetus head during late labour
FLO4695900 Perineum and external parts stretched by the fetus head during late labour. Copperplate engraving by Andrew Bell after an illustration by Jan van Rymsdyk from William Smellie's A Set

Smellie's surgical instruments used to assist childbirth: curved crotchets and scissors
FLO4696232 Smellie's surgical instruments used to assist childbirth: curved crotchets and scissors. Copperplate engraving by Andrew Bell from William Smellie's A Set of Anatomical Tables.;

Smellie's instruments used to assist childbirth: whale bone fillet, pessary and catheter
FLO4696215 Smellie's instruments used to assist childbirth: whale bone fillet, pessary and catheter. Copperplate engraving by Andrew Bell from William Smellie's A Set of Anatomical Tables.;

Incipit of the Gospel according to Luke: Angel Gabriel announces to Zechariah that his wife Elizabeth will no longer be
VEN5027406 Incipit of the Gospel according to Luke: Angel Gabriel announces to Zechariah that his wife Elizabeth will no longer be sterile

Bone saw, pliers, scissors, mallet and hook for childbirth - Plate taken from " L'Encyclopedie" by Denis
FLO4611854 Bone saw, pliers, scissors, mallet and hook for childbirth - Plate taken from " L'Encyclopedie" by Denis Diderot (1713-1784) and Jean Le Rond D'Alembert (1717-1783)

Woman giving birth, Kom Ombo Temple (relief)
8588413 Woman giving birth, Kom Ombo Temple (relief) by Egyptian; Temple of Sobek and Haroeris, Kom Ombo, Egypt; (add.info.: Egypt)

An Accouchment, published March 30, 1812. Creator: Charles Williams
An Accouchment, published March 30, 1812

A Mass of Relevailles in Spain The priest comes to give the blessing to the new born
JLJ4593831 A Mass of Relevailles in Spain The priest comes to give the blessing to the new born and to the mother leaving childbirth. Painting by Don Enrique Melida y Alinari (1834-1892) 1872 Sun

Birth of King Henry IV on 13 / 12 / 1553 at the Chateau de Pau Jeanne III
JLJ4585768 Birth of King Henry IV on 13/12/1553 at the Chateau de Pau Jeanne III, known as Jeanne d Albret, gives birth to the future king shows visitors by his father Antoine de Bourbon (1518-1562)

The mountain who gives birth (La montagne qui accouche) - Fables by La Fontaine
DUV4214437 The mountain who gives birth (La montagne qui accouche) - Fables by La Fontaine, 19th century (engraving) by Grandville (Jean Ignace Isidore Gerard) (1803-47)

Birth of the Grand Dauphin, Louis Joseph (1781-1789) (colour engraving)
CHT179657 Birth of the Grand Dauphin, Louis Joseph (1781-1789) (colour engraving) by French School, (18th century); Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee Carnavalet, Paris

Ms Ar 5847, Childbirth, from Al Maqamat (The Meetings) by Al-Hariri, c
CHT187397 Ms Ar 5847, Childbirth, from Al Maqamat (The Meetings) by Al-Hariri, c.1240 (gouache on vellum) by Al-Wasiti, Yahya ibn Mahmud (13th Century); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Statuette of a woman giving birth, given to pregnant women for a successful delivery
CHT236071 Statuette of a woman giving birth, given to pregnant women for a successful delivery, from Alexandria (terracotta) by Egyptian Ptolemaic Period (332-30 BC); Private Collection; (add.info)

Birth and education of the King of France Louis IX or Saint Louis (1214-1270)
JLJ4578732 Birth and education of the King of France Louis IX or Saint Louis (1214-1270). Miniature from the manuscript " Life and Miracles of Saint Louis" by William of Saint Pathus

Interior Bas-Breton or Le Nouveau Ne Breton Family in an interior
JLJ4570975 Interior Bas-Breton or Le Nouveau Ne Breton Family in an interior. Painting by Eugene Leroux (1807-1863) 19th century Rennes, Musee des Beaux Arts by Leroux

Plan of Paris indicating civil hospitals and homes, 1818, published in 1820 (engraving)
CHT164097 Plan of Paris indicating civil hospitals and homes, 1818, published in 1820 (engraving) by Thierry, Etienne Jules (b.1787); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Birth Scene (oil on canvas)
XIR175014 The Birth Scene (oil on canvas) by Carpeaux, Jean-Baptiste (1827-75); 57x70 cm; Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee du Petit-Palais, France; French, out of copyright

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"Exploring the Journey of Accouchement: A Historical Perspective" Accouchement, a term deeply rooted in medical history, encompasses various aspects of childbirth throughout time. From ancient civilizations to the late 19th century, this captivating process has been documented and depicted by artists and scientists alike. In Charles Williams' remarkable piece titled "An Accouchment, " published on March 30, 1812, we witness a surgical scene where a normal uterus is being carefully cut during delivery. This scientific board showcases the intricate knowledge acquired during that era. Another intriguing representation takes us to Spain with "A Mass of Relevailles. " Here, we observe the priest bestowing blessings upon a newborn baby. The significance of religious rituals intertwined with birth ceremonies adds depth to this cultural portrayal. The historical records also shed light on significant royal births like that of King Henry IV at Chateau de Pau in 1553. Jeanne III's joyous moment is immortalized through this depiction, symbolizing hope for future generations. La Fontaine's fable "The Mountain Who Gives Birth" metaphorically captures the essence of creation and new beginnings. It serves as a reminder that nature itself possesses an innate ability to bring forth life. Even statuettes were created specifically for pregnant women to ensure successful deliveries. These tangible tokens served as symbols of support and encouragement during laborious times. Delving deeper into history reveals Louis Joseph's birth - the Grand Dauphin - through an exquisite color engraving dating back to 1781-1789. This artwork not only commemorates his arrival but also highlights societal fascination with royal lineage. Al-Hariri's Al Maqamat presents us with Ms Ar 5847 depicting childbirth within its cultural context. This illustration offers insights into how different societies celebrated and understood this natural phenomenon centuries ago. Moving forward in time brings us closer to home with Le Nouveau Ne Breton Family captured in an interior Bas-Breton setting.