Fragonard's Ecorchés in the Context of a New Project for a Historical Museum of Veterinary Medicine

Abstract

This article presents a brief history of the collection held at the National veterinary school in Maisons Alfort, France. We consider the place of Fragonard’s anatomical preparations with particular attention, but also try to understand the evolution of the whole collection from its origins in the Enlightenment to the twenty-first century. We discuss the recent museological choices made by the museum’s current director. In particular, we contextualize the idea of presenting the museum close to the form it took a century ago. We also present the current research and teaching associated with the museum, underlining its integration into the veterinary school.