[Rembrandt's lessons of anatomy: autopsy as the last act of torment performance]

The paper discusses the problem of autopsy in the XVII century. As inspiration for reflections some paintings of Rembrandt are used. Autopsy merges in them as the last, though not the only one, act of body torment performance, thanks to which not only the secrets of human body interior but also empirical horizons of medical research are disclosed. The intellectual background of that period (Bacon's empiricism, rationalism of Descartes, mechanics) allows for medical experience and scientific knowledge about the human body.