>From Judy Chelnick [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History presents a new
showcase display highlighting the museum's unique collection of papier-mâché
anatomical models. "Artificial Anatomy: papier-mâché Anatomical Models"
opens May 5 and runs until December 31.
"Artificial Anatomy" is based on the work of Dr. Louis Thomas Jerome Auzoux
(1797-1880), the French physician who invented papier-mâché anatomical
models. Auzoux began to create these models because human cadavers he used
in medical dissecting deteriorated too rapidly.
The Smithsonian purchased most of its Auzoux papier-mâché models from Ward's
Natural Science Establishment in Rochester, N.Y. The models were originally
exhibited at the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago and the 1895 Cotton
Exposition in Atlanta, Georgia.
The showcase looks at the history and educational uses of papier-mâché
models for medical students and the public. It also focuses on the
construction, conservation, and preservation of the models. Also on display
are X-rays revealing the internal construction of the intricate wires that
form the armature for the papier-mâché.
"Artificial Anatomy" features both human and animal models. Highlights
include a six-foot-tall male model and a life size turkey, both of which are
"dissectable." Each has a numbered and labelled system identifying each of
its anatomical parts.
The National Museum of American History is located at 14th Street and
Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., U.S.A. The museum hours are 10
a.m. to 5:30 p.m., daily, except Christmas Day. Admission is free. Visit
the museum's Web site at http://americanhistory.si.edu or call (202)
357-2700 (voice) or 357-1789 (TTY)
|