COLLECTION

Wax anatomical models' collection in the Josephinum

Austria, 1784

The Josephinum is the owner of one of the world's largest collections of anatomical wax models from the 18th century, commissioned by the Austrian Emperor Joseph II. The order of 1,192 pieces was made between 1781 and 1784 and fulfilled in Florence under the supervision of the physicist, anatomist and naturalist Felice Fontana, physician and anatomist Paolo Mascagni, and modeller Clemente Susini. Today, the unique collection is on display at the Josephinum and includes full-length models as well as individual body parts, organs and systems. The exhibits are stored in original vitrines of rosewood and Venetian glass.

Set of Amputation saws in Josephinum
Surgical Cased Sets Collection in Josephinum

Austria, 1785

A collection of 65 sets of surgical instruments made by Viennese craftsman Joseph Malliard under the direction of Giovanni Alessandro Brambilla, an Italian-born Austrian surgeon eighteenth-century innovator in military surgery. Today, this collection, known as the “Instrumentarium Chirurgicum Militare Austriacum” is on display at the Josephinum Museum, Vienna

PEOPLE

Giovanni Alessandro Brambilla, barone di Carpiano
Brambilla, Giovanni Alessandro

Giovanni Alessandro Brambilla, Baron di Carpiano(San Zenone al Po, April 15, 1728 – Padua, July 30, 1800, was a great Italian and Austrian surgeon, Court Surgeon of the Emperor Joseph II, founder and the first director of the Military Medicine-Surgical Academy Josephinum, Vienna, Austria

Articles

Wax anatomy model of the Head with superficial vessels and nerves
Anatomy wax model 'made in Italy'

Wax anatomical models designed to train physicians and educate the public were once innovative educational teaching aids. Some world-class museums including La Specola in Pisa, Josephinum in Vienna, Palazzo Poggi in Bologna, Science Museum in London, Semmelweis Museum in Budapest, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in Paris are proud of their collections. This amazing craft, combining art and science, anatomy and chemistry, practical skill and theoretical knowledge, which stood at the forefront of innovation in the 17th and 18th centuries, originated and flourished in Northern Italy