The mark of truth: visualising anatomical collections

摘要

'It represents what was actually seen, it carries the mark of truth, and becomes almost as infallible as the object itself...'Every part is presented just as it was found; not so much as one joint of a finger having been moved to show any part more distinctly, or to give a more picturesque effect'. This Gallery showcases illustrations of specimens in the Hunterian Collection. These illustrations are representative of specimens attributed to the illustrations in William Hunter's Anatomy of the Human Gravid Uterus (1774) and refer to the corresponding illustrations by Jan Van Rymsdyk. The images displayed here form part of an ongoing research project on visualising anatomical preparations in the Hunterian Collections which I have been developing over the last 2 years. This study was originally presented as an Insight Talk for The Hunterian Museum on 17 July 2018; I delivered an expanded version of this talk by invitation at the Institute of Medical Illustrators Conference 2018 in Harrogate on 4 October 2018. I am investigating how the impact of anatomical collections can be enhanced by creating visualised specimens, supported by accessible information, for diverse audiences, with a view to comparing our modern understanding of anatomical specimens and modern expectations for immersive and interactive learning and demonstrating with traditional methods of illustrating these collections. Asking how can the process of drawing be used as a method of preservation and to support visualisation.