Josephinum and the Anatomical Wax Model Collection, Medical University of Wien

Abstract

 The collection of anatomical wax models housed at Wien Medical University’s Josephinum is one of the greatest achievements initiated by Emperor Joseph II and – reflecting the reformist and revolutionary zeal of the 18th century period in which it was crafted – a remarkable benchmark of Enlightenment in Austria, spanning the divide between art and science.                                                                            Originally purchased principally for teaching purposes, these artificial yet astonishingly lifelike bodies and body parts have provoked mixed reactions through the centuries, but the value of the collection with its over thousand anatomical wax models remains untouched.