Swedish photographer Lennart Nilsson spent 12 years of his life taking pictures of the foetus developing in the womb. These incredible photographs were taken with conventional cameras with macro lenses, an endoscope and scanning electron microscope. Nilsson used a magnification of hundreds of thousands and “worked” right in the womb. His first photo of the human foetus was taken in 1965.
In 1965 Lennart Nilsson (b. 1922), for the first time in our history, succeeded in photographing the human foetus from inside the womb. Lennart Nilsson’s experiments with electron microscopes, endoscopic cameras, in addition to other techniques provided him with the opportunity to create high-resolution images of the development of human life. Lennart Nilsson’s A Child is Born was a major breakthrough in medical photography.
A Child is Born began in 1953 and Nilsson took 12 years to complete. When LIFE magazine published a 16-page cover article of his photographs entitled, The Drama of Life Before Birth, the entire circulation of 8 million copies sold out in just a few days. The article is still considered to be one of LIFE magazine’s most important reportage along with the assassination of John F Kennedy and the moon landing.
In the same year that his photographs premiered in LIFE magazine, Nilsson published his book A Child is Born. The book was a success among expectant mothers and photography connoisseurs alike. Since then, it has been published in 5 editions in over 20 countries. The most recent edition was published in 2009. That same year, Lennart Nilsson was awarded the honorary title of Professor by the Swedish government, an award granted for an educational contribution of immense significance.
Sperm in the fallopian tube.
Will they have a date?
Sperms
Embryo.
Fetus.
8th week.
10 weeks. The eyelids are semi-shut. They will close completely in a few days.
16 weeks. The skeleton consists mainly of flexible cartridge. A network of blood vessels is visible through the thin skin.
16 weeks. The skeleton consists mainly of flexible cartridge. A network of blood vessels is visible through the thin skin.
18 weeks: Approximately 14 cm. The foetus can now perceive sounds from the outside world.
20 weeks: Approximately 20 cm. Woolly hair, known as lanugo, covers the entire head.
26 weeks.
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Spectacular. It is so impressive seeing a growing life like that. As a mother I am so totally spellbound that that went on in my body...incredible. Thanks for this awesome post.