fetus/neonatus

Fetus” and “neonatus” – in Latin, these words mean fetus and newborn, and they have become the central motifs of this painting series. These unborn or only briefly living beings were destined to become subjects of anatomical research — and simultaneously, a source of artistic exploration for me.

In this series, I focus on the lifeless body — its unique color palette, posture, and presence. Unlike living models, these bodies cannot be arranged or staged — they exist simply as they are. Through an in-depth study of the Anatomy Museum’s collection, I paint infants and fetuses preserved in formalin, which fascinate me through their form, color, and materiality.

The infant is one of the most immediate symbols of life, yet in these paintings, death is inevitably present as well. I find myself asking: Where does life begin, and where does it end?