A Body of Evidence: An Art Historical perspective on Eighteenth and ...

Abstract.
<strong>Art</strong>ists and anatomists cooperated from the sixteenth century through to the nineteenth
century to produce books and later models which illustrated the new encounter with
human anatomy. The style <strong>of</strong> many <strong>of</strong> the illustrations reflected the art practices <strong>of</strong> the
period in which they were produced. Wax anatomical models adopted some <strong>of</strong> the same
artistic conventions as illustration to familiarise the eighteenth century audience with
anatomy. These models, which were initially closely linked to the practice <strong>of</strong> dissection
were adapted for different audiences before being overtaken by new technology at the
end <strong>of</strong> the nineteenth century. This thesis uses as examples some <strong>of</strong> the models in the
Harry Brookes Allen Museum in the medical department <strong>of</strong> the University <strong>of</strong> Melbourne
to illustrate the historical progression <strong>of</strong> wax anatomical models.