Jan Swammerdam en de 17e eeuwse microscopie

Abstract

Jan Swammerdam and seventeenth century microscopy The first heyday of microscopical research brought forth the classical work of Hooke, Malpighi, Grew, Swammerdam and Van Leeuwenhoek. Swammerdam's contribution to this field is assessed by considering his work from four angles, viz. the revolution of the microscope, microscopical technique, microscopical research in the seventeenth century and the scientific atmosphere of the time. Throughout the work of the five classical microscopists three common denominators can be traced, viz. mechanical philosophy, painstaking observation and admiration for the works of God. Swammerdam's undoubtable enrichment of microscopy was the result of his skill in preparing his objects and the limited, but purposeful, scope of his research.