Human Anatomy: Stereoscopic Images of Medical Specimens

by Jim Naughten, Laurens De Rooy (Foreword)

Following his highly successful book, Animal Kingdom, Jim Naughten brings to life historic specimens of the human body in this peculiarly enthralling collection of stereoscopic photographs. Historically, stereoscopic photography was widely used in medicine as a teaching aid, so it seems fitting that Jim Naughten's stereoscopic pictures of human specimens on display at the Vrolik Museum in Amsterdam transform science into art. With over 5,000 immaculately preserved objects, the Vrolik has one of the largest collections of anatomical specimens in the world. Naughten has selected 50 of the most striking examples for this book, including pathological specimens such as skeletons afflicted by rickets and other diseases of the bone; congenital malformations; and dissected heads. Many are photographed in their original wood and glass specimen cases, which lends them a haunting tone. Reproduced with stunning clarity, these transfixing images take the reader on a fascinating journey through the history of the study of anatomy, with the stereoscopic viewer permitting an immersive experience that is not possible with conventional photography.

144 pages, Hardcover

Published May 25, 2017

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a striking example of a book acting as a kind of potted museum exhibit. The opening essays on the history of medical specimens and the history of stereoscopy put the images in context very well: this is the overlap of two technologies for moving objects through space and time. The essay on stereoscopy also touches on the moral dimension of performing that trick with a part of a person that was once alive, and that stuck with me. I've seen several huge anatomical collections in museums but the austere, solitary way you encounter the objects here gives them a very different tone and makes it difficult to get away from their individuality. This must be how these specimens were originally used: one at a time, under intense focus, as an aid to teaching or study. I'm not squeamish and I find the history of science and medicine interesting, but this was an unusually eerie book.