Historical Anatomies on the Web: Andreas Vesalius Home: ‘Andreas Vesalius: De corporis humani fabrica libri septem: Vesalius’s De corporis humani fabrica libri septem is one of the most influential medical texts ever printed, not only because of the scientific methods used to produce it, but because of the artistic renderings of the anatomist’s findings. Although he relied heavily upon Galen, at times translating his words exactly, Vesalius performed his own careful dissections and observed the body in great detail, confirming and refuting many of Galen’s anatomical and physiological tenets. His peers reacted strongly to his decision to question Galen, and he received praise and condemnation’.