Anatomical drawing of the top half of a human from the back with skin partially pulled away to reveal muscle and veins underneath.
Past exhibitions

Anatomy: A Matter of Death and Life

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National Museum of Scotland

This exhibition explored the history of anatomical study, from artistic explorations by Leonardo da Vinci to the Burke and Hare murders.

4 Stars

"Gripping"

The Guardian

4 Stars

"...brings the whole story closer..."

The Scotsman

4 Stars

"First-rate exhibition"

The Telegraph

Charting 500 years of medical exploration, the exhibition considered the social and medical history surrounding the dissection of human bodies. The role anatomy played in the Enlightenment, the links between science and crime in the early 19th century, and the approaches to anatomical study today were also highlighted. 

On display were early examples of anatomical art, a full-body papier-mâché model produced in the workshops of pioneering 19th century model maker Louis Auzoux, and William Burke’s skeleton and handwritten confession. National Museums Scotland’s own collections on display included a ‘mort safe’, a heavy iron box placed over a coffin to deter would-be body snatchers, and the Arthur's Seat miniature coffins.

Exhibition highlights

  • A row of miniature coffins with dolls inside them.
  • A surgical kit in a wooden box lined with red velvet.
  • A curator looking side on at two life masks of William Burke and William Hare.
  • Woodcut illustration of a skeleton standing in front of a hippopotamus
  • Black anatomical line drawing of muscles on a human form with hand outstretched, labelled with letters and Latin text.

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