la specola is a museum of zoology and natural history located in Florence. In addition to its collection of animal and insect specimens, the most unique thing about this museum is its wax human anatomy model.
These wax anatomical models not only include bones, organs, head and neck anatomy models, etc., but also very intuitive [horror] displays of the immune system, blood vessels, etc. There are 1,400 large and small pieces in total, and they are called "anatomy paradise" by medical students. .
In the museum, you can see a very beautiful wax figure of the human body, known as the "Venus of Anatomy". She is lying there, the pain on her face is vivid, but her beauty cannot be concealed. However, when your eyes shift to her belly, you will see that her belly exposes seven layers of internal organs, and there is even a tiny gestating baby in the womb. fetus. All fat, skin, blood vessels and other details are vividly depicted.
The statue, called Venus, was cast in wax around 1780 and features glass eyeballs, hair made of real human hair, and a string of pearls. The principle of this wax specimen is the same as that of celebrity wax figures! However, the content displayed varies greatly.
Such a wax anatomical model was very complicated to make in that era. More than 200 corpses may need to be dissected to complete a model. These models not only have medical teaching functions, but also absorb the essence of Italian aesthetics in the 18th century. They can be described as a perfect combination of beauty and life, full of conflict.
Most of the specimens from European countries such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands or Germany are usually more realistic and very cold and emotionless. But here it is full of artistic atmosphere. When you open the beautiful "skin", you will find the thrilling flesh and blood tissue.
In order to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the museum and the 100th anniversary of the University of Florence, the museum started renovation work in 2019 and is expected to reopen on February 21, 2024. If you want to know more about the structure of the human body, you can go shopping. Of course The collection of taxidermy there is also very impressive.
