Event
Skin: A Layered History Launch
09 Feb 2023
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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A hand with a skin disease on the palm and wrist. Coloured lithograph by W. Bagg, 1847
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Eliza Bennett, A Woman's Work is Never Done
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Jessica Harrison, High backed armchair, 2009, Wood, epoxy resin, polyvinyl acetate, acrylic paint, hair, 7.5 x 6 x 9.5cm
Exhibition
Skin: A Layered History
10 Feb 2023 – 13 Oct 2023
Regular hours
- Friday
- 10:00 – 16:30
- Monday
- 10:00 – 16:30
- Tuesday
- 10:00 – 16:30
- Wednesday
- 10:00 – 16:30
- Thursday
- 10:00 – 16:30
Free admission
‘Skin: A Layered History’ explores the changing meaning of skin from the 1500s to the present day.
About
Bringing together artefacts spanning scientific illustrations, early modern rare books, medicines, wax models, prostheses and sculptures, this exhibition uncovers the social, cultural and medical history of skin.
The exhibition is split into four themes. It starts by exploring the role of the skin as a boundary – one which might need to be breached to let out the disease trapped within.
It then moves on to uncover the history of skin diagnosis and treatment, including the role which scientific illustrations and wax models played in the development of dermatology. The exhibition then considers the history of skin markings – from scars to tattoos. Finally, the exhibition explores skin-related prejudice past and present, in the context of racism, sexism and classism.
