Gallery: Exquisite, Disturbing Objects From 500 Years of Human Anatomical Science
Harvard Medical Library / Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine01mosher-1929
Harris P. Mosher lecturing at Harvard Medical School in 1929. The giant skull was made in the 1890s and is part of the new exhibit.
Warren Anatomical Museum / Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine02L001519
A corrosion cast of the airways, possibly from a rabbit, sheep, or dog. From 1880-1890.
Warren Anatomical Museum / Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine03L001518
Harvard Dental School student F. E. Sprague created this preparation in 1887 to show off a variety of filling techniques he'd mastered.
Warren Anatomical Museum / Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine04L001513
A dissection kit, circa 1850. Each tool has a specific purpose. The large tool in the center is a bone saw.
Warren Anatomical Museum / Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine05L001473
Surgeon and anatomist Edmé François Chauvot de Beauchêne invented a technique for taking apart the individual bones of the skull and reassembling them in a an "exploded" view. This specimen is from around 1880.
Warren Anatomical Museum / Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine06L001473-detail2
A closer look at Chauvot de Beauchêne's "exploded" skull.
Rijksmuseum07leiden-small
This 1610 engraving depicts the anatomy theater at Leiden University, which was built in 1596. Spectators (including the occasional dog, apparently) gathered around the central table where dissections were performed.
Boston Medical Library / Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine08Vogtherr-female
In this 1544 anatomical flap print by Heinrich Vogtherr, lifting up paper tabs reveals the underlying anatomy layer by layer.
Boston Medical Library / Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine0911-Vogtherr-male-detail
Detail from the male counterpart to the previous anatomical flap print, with a flap lifted to reveal the intestines.
Harvard Medical Library / Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine10De-dissectione-partium-corporis-humani-1545-1-copy
A 1545 illustration from the French anatomist, Charles Estienne.
Harvard Medical Library / Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine11Valverde-de-Amusco
A flayed corpse holds his own skin in this page from a 1560 book by anatomist Juan Valverde de Amusco
Harvard Medical Library / Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine12Mascagni-4
In this illustration from the first half of the 19th century, the muscles are cut away from the body to reveal the underlying skeleton.
Boston Medical Library / Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine13Isagogue-breves-resurrection-clean
Anatomy and the Christian concept of resurrection mix in this 1523 illustration by Jacopo Berengario da Carpi.
Massachusetts Historical Society14revere1955-lg
This 1782 engraving by Paul Revere (yes, that Paul Revere) certifies completion of a course of anatomical lectures by John Warren, the first anatomist at Harvard.
Massachusetts Historical Society15revere1955-detail
In this detail of Revere's engraving, a noose is visible around the cadaver's neck, indicating the body belonged to a condemned prisoner -- and was therefore legally acquired.
