Exhibition
Under the skin: illustrating the human body
01 Feb 2019 – 15 Mar 2019
Royal College of Physicians Museum
London, United Kingdom
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1200px CN 23678 Nevrologie_Hirschfeld, 1866 pl68 Mike Fear Oct-2018 255 - Copy
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1200px CN 25506 Medical anatomy_Sibson, 1869, pl17 Mike Fear Oct-2018 341
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Two views of the anatomy of the head in Anatomie de la tete. Dissection by Pierre Train, drawing and engraving by Jacques Gautier d'Agoty, published Paris, 1748 . © RCP
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From Atlas of head sections. Prepared by William MacEwen, drawings by Miss MacEachran, photogravure by Messrs Annan of Glasgow. Published Edinburgh, 1893 (c) RCP
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Illustration of the internal organs and acupuncture points in Shishi bessho zui. Hozumi Koremasa, 1820s. © Royal College of Physicians
Talk
Artists under the skin: launch event and lecture
6 Feb 2019
Regular hours
- Wednesday
- 10:00 – 17:00
Cost of entry
£5 standard, £4 concessions (plus Eventbrite booking fee)
Concessions include: RCP members & fellows, full-time students and jobseekers
Address
- 11 St Andrews Place
- Regent's Park
- London
- NW1 4LE
- United Kingdom
Travel Information
- Tube: Great Portland Street
Event map
Join the Royal College of Physicians museum for the opening of its new exhibition ‘Under the skin: illustrating the human body’, an exploration of the art and science of anatomical illustration from the medieval world to the present day.
About
Throughout history physicians, printers, surgeons and artists have developed tools and techniques to depict human anatomy and communicate what is hidden inside the human form. The results – masterpieces of artistry and technology – capture the beautiful and unsettling shapes, structures and textures of organs, bones and tissues.
New displays peel back the surface of human existence to reveal what lies under the skin. Rarely seen artworks, books and objects from the Royal College of Physicians outstanding library, archive and museum collections go on public show in this unique exhibition. Demonstrating how, as a species, we are fascinated by the contents of our complex and fragile bodies.
This special opening event also includes a lecture by Annette Wickham, curator of works on paper at the Royal Academy of Arts, examining how artists have engaged with human anatomy throughout time, devising innovative techniques for representing the three dimensions of the body in two dimensional images.
The talk features 2D drawings, prints and illustrations plus 3D écorché figures, many drawn from the Royal Academy’s collections, to illustrate artists’ exploration of anatomy in 18th and 19th centuries. Annette also addresses the controversial question:
How much anatomical knowledge did artists really need?
The exhibition and event are part of Thinking 3D an interdisciplinary exploration of the concept and communication of three-dimensionality and its impact on the arts and sciences.
Event programme
From 6pm: Reception and exhibition viewing
7-8pm: Speeches and lecture, Dorchester Library
8-8.30pm: Exhibition viewing and cash bar
