Authors : C. Stavrianos, N. Petalotis, O. Pantelidou, C. Papadopoulos, A. Pantazis and L. Grigoropoulos
Abstract: Human beings biting themselves or other humans is something relatively common in Forensics. On the contrary is a very rare subject in Art. The aim of this study is to show nine cases in European painting where this action is depicted. They include frescoes, paintings on wood using tempera and oil colours on canvas, one engraving and two icons. Chronologically they span from 15-19th century. Four of them depict scenes from the Last Judgement of Christ, three of them are inspired from Dante’s Inferno as described in the Divine Comedy and the last two are marginal scenes of icons showing the life of St. Andrew the Apostle. Although, these paintings are not the only ones about this subject they are good examples. A thorough research in sculpture and minor arts may yield other examples.
C. Stavrianos, N. Petalotis, O. Pantelidou, C. Papadopoulos, A. Pantazis and L. Grigoropoulos, 2011. Humans Biting Themselves or Others: Nine Cases in European Painting (15-19th Century). Research Journal of Medical Sciences, 5: 155-160.