The fantastic Morbid Anatomy Blog has a great post on a new online exhibition at the University of Cambridge, organized and produced by Nick Hopwood and Tatjana Burklijas with funding from (who else?) the Wellcome Trust. Excerpt:
The "Making Visible Embryos" web exhibit approaches a complex, wide-spanning subject engagingly and clearly without ever oversimplifying the subject matter. It is well-designed with heavily (and beautifully) illustrated pages (see above; visit the website to find out more about each image.)
The exhibit deftly explores the changes in metaphor, imagery, and understanding of the mysterious and centuries-hidden embryo, from speculative, religiously influenced illustrations of the 1300s to the modern day ultrasound. It also touches on popular debates about embryology, uses of the embryo in the fine arts, the history of (and uses of) illustration and modeling of the embryo, and contemporary controversies surrounding the embryo in the 21st century.
FYI, Buklijas has a wonderful article on corpse supply and anatomical practices in late 19th century Vienna in the most recent Bulletin of the History of Medicine. The article, the online exhibition, and the blog post are all highly recommended.
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