Andreas Grünheide, anonymous, 1638
Inv. P00789

Andreas Grünheide, alias the Prussian Knife Swallower was a famous medical case. During the Whitsun holiday in 1635 he had eaten so much, that it gave him stomach pains. In order to empty his stomach he stuck a knife at the back of his throat. Unfortunately the knife slipped from his fingers and finally found its way into his stomach. After three weeks Grünheide reported to the University of Köningsberg. There it was decided to cut open the unfortunate knife swallower and rid him of the knife.The marvellous success of this operation caused a general sensation. Grünheide became famous overnight. His story reached Otto Heurnius in Leiden, professor of anatomy and responsible for the Theatrum Anatomicum. Heurnius wanted the knife for the Theatre's collection of curiosities. However, the king of Poland had beaten him to it. As a consolation he was sent Grünheide's portrait from Königsberg in 1638.