More Antique Anatomical Models

Wax model of a human face, Germany, 1801-1900

Female ivory anatomical figure, Europe, 1601-1800

Reclining wax woman, Florence, Italy, 1771-1800

Wax anatomical models of this period had different uses for different audiences. In the European anatomical tradition, the standard or normative body was always male. Female bodies were studied in terms of how they differed. In practice this meant a focus on their reproductive capacities – most often they were pregnant, with a fetus as one of the removable pieces.

Text and images taken from the Science Museum:

http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife.aspx