Portraits and portrait groups of famous physicians and surgeons were painted and hung in the theatres where they lectured or operated.

Dr.
Tulp, an eminent surgeon of the day, commissioned Rembrandt to represent him performing an operation, proposing to present the picture to the Surgeons' Guild in memory of his professorship.

The grave, realistic picture called _The Anatomy Lesson_, now hanging at the Hague Museum, was the result.

The corpse lies upon the dissecting table; before it stands Dr.
Tulp, wearing a broad-brimmed hat; around him are grouped seven elderly students.

Some are absorbed by the operation, others gaze thoughtfully at the professor, or at the spectator.