Dr. Frederick Ruysch (1638-1731) succeeded Jan Deijman as prelector on the latter's death in 1666. Backer probably drew his inspiration from Rembrandt's two Anatomy Lessons, those of Tulp and Deijman. However, the painting differs greatly from both of Rembrandt's works in its flattering depiction of the corpse and the apparent indifference of the observers. Ringed by six surgeons, Ruysch is busy flaying the skin by the corpse's stomach and on the left thigh. The statues in the background niches have been identified as Apollo and Asclepius, the gods of medicine. The left figure could also be Galen, the Greek anatomist (AD 131- c. 210). The canvas has been severely restored and painted over, possibly as a result of the 1723 fire.