Skip to main content

Wax Anatomical Models and Neuroscience: From Artistic Italian Creation to Therapeutic Approach

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Brain and Art

Abstract

Wax modelling has been used since ancient times with its first application in art in the fifteenth century involving famous artists with knowledge of anatomy. It was only in the seventeenth century that coloured ceroplastic began to be used for teaching anatomy as valid alternative to dissected human bodies, including also neuropathological. The origin of this scientific approach was born in central Italy, in Florence and Bologna in the eighteenth century, and immediately spread to other Italian cities, and Europe, and throughout the rest of the world. Wax neuro-models were shown as artefacts and destined to train young doctors in anatomical knowledge. Nowadays, wax is often considered an old-fashioned art form but what is not well known is that wax has a useful therapeutic application in medicine, with a particular emphasis in neurosurgery.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Ballestriero R. Realidad y Representación en la Ceroplastíca, MPhil Project. Faculty of Fine Arts, Complutense University: Madrid; 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Chilvers I. Oxford concise dictionary of art & artists. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2003. p. 197. 204.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Ballestriero R. The art of ceroplastics. Clemente Susini and the collection of the anatomical wax model of the University of Cagliari. In: Riva A, editor. Flesh & Wax. The Clemente Susini’s Anatomical Models in the University of Cagliari. Nuoro: Ilisso; 2007. p. 35–45.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Haviland TN, Parish LC. A brief account of the use of wax models in the study of medicine. J Hist Med Allied Sci. 1970;25:52–75.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Vasari G. Lives of the painters, and architects. London; 1900.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Del Maestro RF. Leonardo da Vinci: the search for the soul. Neurosurgery. 1998;89:874–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Lander KE. Study of anatomy by woman before the nineteenth century. In: Proc 3rd Int Cong Hist Med London; 1922. p. 132–4.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Ballestriero R. Anatomical models and wax Venuses: art masterpieces or scientific craft works? J Anat. 2010;216:223–34.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Porro A, Cristini C, Falconi B, Franchini AF, Lorusso L. Ceroplastica e medicina. In: Porro A, Cristini C, Falconi B, Franchini AF, Galimberti PM, Lorusso L, editors. Lezioni di Storia della medicina 2. Rudiano: GAM; 2011a. p. 125–30.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Porro A, Falconi B, Franchini AF, Lorusso L. Anime e corpi di cera: neurologia e ceroplastica. Riv Italiana Neurobiol. 2010;56:57–9.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Riva A, Conti G, Solinas P, Loy F. The evolution of anatomical illustration and wax modelling in Italy from the 16th to early 19th centuries. J Anat. 2010;216:209–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Martelli A. La ceroplastica nella scienza e nell’arte. Atti del I Congresso Internazionale. Firenze: Olschki; 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Puccetti ML, Liberto Perugi L, Scarani P. Gaetano Luigi Zumbo. The founder of anatomic wax modelling. Pathol Annu. 1995;30:269–81.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Cagnetta F. Gaetano Giulio Zumbo. In: Giansiracusa P, editor. Gaetano Giulio Zumbo. Milan: Fabbri; 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Chen JCT, Amar AP, Levy ML, Apuzzo MLJ. The development of anatomic art and sciences: the Ceroplastica anatomic models of La Specola. Neurosurgery. 1999;45:883–92.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Belloni L. Anatomia plastica (the beginnings). CIBA Symp. 1959;7:229–33.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Belloni L. Anatomia plastica. The Bologna Wax Models. CIBA Symp. 1960a;8:84–7.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Cushing H. Ercole Lelli and his ecorche. Proc Charaka Club. 1938;9:3–20.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Messbarger R. The lady anatomist. The life and work of Anna Morandi Manzolini. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press; 2010.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  20. Dacome L. Waxworks and the performance of anatomy in mid-18th-century Italy. Endeavour. 2006;30:29–35.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Arieti S. 2012. http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/anna-morandi_(Dizionario-Biografico.

  22. Falabella S. 2007. http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/giovanni-manzolini_(Dizionario-Biografico.

  23. Belloni L. Anatomia plastica. The wax models in Florence. CIBA Symp. 1960b;8:129–32.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Maraldi NM, Mazzotti G, Cocco L, Manzoli FA. Anatomical waxwork modelling: the History of the Bologna Anatomy Museum. Anat Rec. 2000;261:5–10.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Dal Forno F. La ceroplastica anatomica e il suo restauro. Un nuovo uso della TAC, una possibile attribuzione a G. G: Zumbo. Firenze: Nardini; 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Fontana F. Traité sur le venin de la vipere […] tome second. Florence; 1781.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Azzaroli ML. La Specola. The zoological museum of Florence University. In: La ceroplastica nella scienza e nell’arte. Atti del I Congresso Internazionale. Florence: Olschki; 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Hilloowala R, Renahan J. XVIII Century anatomical models at La Specola, Florence. Anat Anz. 1985;159:141–58.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Hilloowala R, Lanza B, Azzaroli Puccetti ML. The anatomical waxes of La Specola. Firenze: Arnaud; 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Lemire M. Representation of the human body: the colored wax anatomic models of the 18th and 19th centuries in the revival of medical instruction. Surg Radiol Anat. 1992;14:283–91.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Castaldi L. Francesco Boi (1767-1860), primo cattedratico di Anatomia Umana a Cagliari e le Cere Anatomiche fiorentine di Clemente Susini. Firenze: Olshki; 1947.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Cattaneo L. Le cere anatomiche di Clemente Susini dell’Università di Cagliari. Cagliari: STEF; 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Riva A. Flesh & wax. The Clemente Susini’s anatomical models in the University of Cagliari. Nuoro: Ilisso; 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Lukic IK, Gluncic V, Ivkic G, Hubenstorf M, Marusic A. Virtual dissection: a lesson from the 18° century. Lancet. 2003;362:2110–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Esposito V, Chiapparo S. Role of anatomy in our contemporary age and the history of the Anatomy Museum of Naples. New Anat. 2006;289:92–7.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Lorusso L, Porro A, Palmieri A, Mezzogiorno V. Neuroanatomical illustrations in the 18th century: the contribution of the neapolitans Domenico Cotugno and Domenico Cirillo. Neurology. 2006b;66(5, Suppl 2):Al.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Gabbriellini C, Pradier I, Rossi F, Rossignoli G, Dallatana D, Porro A, Speranza L, Toni R. Il restauro dello Spellato del Museo dipartimentale S.Bi.Bi.T. dell’Università di Parma. Biomateriali e tecnologie innovative per la valorizzazione della ceroplastica settecentesca. OPD Restauro. 2013;25:37–52.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Daninos A. Avere una bella cera. Le figure in cera a Venezia e in Italia. Milano: Officina Libraria; 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Lorusso L, Cristini C, Porro A. Lorenzo Tenchini (1852-1906): neuroanatomy and criminal anthropology. Med Secoli Arte Sci. 2007;19(2):353–60.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Lorusso L, Cristini C, Tralli R, Porro A. Lorenzo Tenchini (1852-1906): neuroanatomy and society. J Hist Neurosci Bas Clin Perspect. 2006a;15(4):412–3.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Cavarra B. Riforma degli studi e formazione del personale sanitario nel Ducato Estense: i primi anni modenesi di Antonio Scarpa (1772-1776). Med Secoli Arte Sci. 2015;27:427–40.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Rippa Bonati M, Zampieri F, Zanatta A. Per una storia della medicina. Padova: Liviana; 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Zampieri F, Comacchio F, Zanatta A. Ophthalmologic wax model as an educational tool for 18th-century vision scientists. Acta Ophthalmol. 2017;95(8):852–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Bresadola M. Giovanni Tumiati: anatomia, modelli in cera e l’origine del museo anatomico. In: Bresadola M, editor. L’Università di Ferrara e la cultura dei Lumi: scienza e medicina alla fine del Settecento. Ferrara: UnifePress; 2009. p. 91–106.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Bovi T. Le cere ostetriche romane di Giovan Battista Manfredini. Roma: Quasar; 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Monza F. Anatomia in posa. Il Museo Anatomico di Pavia dal XVIII al XX secolo. Milano: Cisalpino; 2006.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Franchini AF, Porro A. L’autobiografia Di Luigi Porta (1800-1875). Boll Soc Pav Stor Patr. 1992;92:219–64.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Garbarino MC, Cani V, Bernarduzzi LF, Mazzarello P. The wax models of the University History Museum: a composite heritage between past and present. Ceroplastics. International Congress on Wax Modelling. Modelling the Flesh, London; 2017. 1–3 Sept 2017. https://www.waxmodellinglondon2017.com/.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Monza F. The Florentine anatomical wax models in the collection of Antonio Scarpa. Ceroplastics. International Congress on Wax Modelling. Modelling the Flesh. London; 2017. 1–3 Sept 2017. https://www.waxmodellinglondon2017.com/.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Giacobini G, Cilli C, Malerba G. Il Museo di Anatomia Umana Luigi Rolando dell’Università di Torino. Torino: Hapax; 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Caputo R, Gelmetti C, Rigoni C. Le cere Dermatologiche dell’Università di Milano. Scienza e arte nella Storia della Dermatologia. Milno: Recordati; 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Franchini AF, Galimberti PM, Bianchi P, Falconi B, Sinatra M, Porro A. Il colore a tre dimensioni: le cere dermatologiche dell’Ospedale Maggiore di Milano. In: Beni culturali di ambito dermatologico. Giornate di Museologia medica. Museo di Storia Naturale, Università degli Studi di Firenze. Firenze 11-12 novembre 2016. Atti. A cura di Beatrice Messeri e Katia Manetti. Firenze: Tipolitografia Pegaso; 2016. p. 122–125.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Bellini A. La modellazione in cera delle malattie cutanee. Giorn Italiano Malat Vener Pelle. 1908;43:722–31.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Galimberti PM, Franchini AF, Porro A. I Beni Culturali della Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano. Rev Electròn Fuentes Arch. 2013;4(4):126–42.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Sacco L. Trattato di vaccinazione. Milano: Mussi; 1809.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Porro A. Luigi Sacco e la prima grande campagna di vaccinazione contro il vaiolo in Lombardia, 1800-1810. Confr Auton Lombarda Idee Fatti Esp. 2012;4:167–81.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Archivio Ospedale Maggiore di Milano. Archivio Bianco, Direzione Medica, Affari diversi, b. 8, n. prot. 1045. A century of dental art: a centenary memoir 1820–1921 (1921). Paris: Claudius Ash & Sons; 1802.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Schnalke T. Diseases in wax: the history of the medical moulage. Chicago: Quintessence Publishing Co.; 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  59. Bates AW. “Indecent and demoralising representations”: public Anatomy Museums and mid-Victorian England. Med Hist. 2008;52:1–22.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  60. Lemire AM. Artistes et mortels. Paris: Chabaud; 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Musajo Somma L. In cera. Anatomia e medicina nel XVIII secolo. Bari: Progedit; 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  62. Lemire M. Fortunes et infortunes de l’anatomie et des préparations anatomiques, naturelles et artificielles. In: Clair J, editor. L’âme au corps: arts et science 1793-1993. Paris: Rèunion des musées nationaux. Gallimard/Electa; 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  63. Istituto Editoriale Cisalpino – La Goliardica. Giovanni Alessandro Brambilla nella cultura medica del Settecento Europeo. Milano: Istituto Editoriale Cisalpino – La Goliardica; 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  64. Glass N. Waxen bodies. Lancet. 2000;356:775–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  65. Holubar K. The anatomical wax preparations in the Josephinum in Vienna, Austria. Arch Surg. 1991;126:421–2.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Vázquez JF. The Wax Anatomical Models in the Anatomy Museum of the University of Valladolid. In: International Congress on Wax Modelling (Blanch E, Sañudo J R. eds) Madrid, June 29th-30th, 2017, School of Medicine. Complutense University Madrid, Spain. Eur J Anat. 2017;21:214–60.

    Google Scholar 

  67. Conde-Salazar L, Heras-Mendaza F. New information concerning the History of the Olavide Museum and its Wax Models. Actas Dermo-Sifiliográfica. 2012;103:561–6.

    Google Scholar 

  68. Morente M. Modelando ciencia: la ceroplástica de Ignacio Lacaba en el Colegio de Cirugía de San Carlos de Madrid. Dynamis. 2016;36:27–45.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Ortiz AS. Conservation-restoration of a singular heritage. The anatomical ceroplastic collections of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. In: International Congress on Wax Modelling (Blanch E, Sañudo J R. eds) Madrid, June 29th-30th, 2017, School of Medicine. Complutense University Madrid, Spain. Eur J Anat. 2017;21:214–60.

    Google Scholar 

  70. Mendis D, Ellis H. Joseph Towne (1806-1879), master modeler of wax. J Med Biogr. 2003;11:212–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Hopwood N. Artist versus anatomist, models against dissection: Paul Zeiller of Munich and the revolution of 1848. Med Hist. 2007;51:279–308.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  72. Markovic D, Markovic-Zivkovic B. Development of anatomical models – chronology. Acta Med Med. 2010;49:56–61.

    Google Scholar 

  73. Talairach-Vielmas L. Anatomical models: a history of dissappearence? Histoire. Méd Santé. 2014;5:9–20.

    Google Scholar 

  74. Emmerling J, Sticherling M. Dermatological moulages in Germany – data on two representative collections. Ceroplastics. International Congress on Wax Modelling. Modelling the Flesh, London; 2017. 1–3 Sept 2017. https://www.waxmodellinglondon2017.com/.

    Google Scholar 

  75. Bieber B, Bieber T. The 100-years old collection of wax moulages at the Department of Dermatology of the University of Bonn. Eur J Dermatol. 2013;23:443–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Taturu AD, Taturu D, Roccia MG, França K, Fioranelli M, Lotti T. The history of an unknow dermatological wax collection from Cluj-Napoca University “Iuliu Hatieganu” Romania. Wien Med Wochenschr. 2017;167(Suppl 1):42–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  77. Worm AM, Sinislao H, Eilertsen G, Ahrén E, Meyer I. Dermatological moulages in the Nordic countries. J Eur Acad Dermatolol Venereolo. 2018;32:570–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  78. Lang J. A fascinating challenge: about the conservation of the oversize wax-model “Phrenological Head” of the collection at the Deutsches Historisches Museum of Berlin. In: International Congress on Wax Modelling (Blanch E, Sañudo J R. eds) Madrid, June 29th-30th, 2017, School of Medicine. Complutense University Madrid, Spain. Eur J Anat. 2017;21:214–60.

    Google Scholar 

  79. Geiges ML. The museum of wax moulages in Zurich. Ceroplastics. International Congress on Wax Modelling. Modelling the Flesh, London; 2017. 1–3 Sept 2017. https://www.waxmodellinglondon2017.com/.

    Google Scholar 

  80. Asturias F. Historia de la Medicina en Guatemala. Guatemala: Tipografia Nacional; 1902.

    Google Scholar 

  81. Carretta JA. A ceroplastic and forensic medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, Universidade de Sãu Paolo, 1934-1955. História, Ciéncia, Saúde. 2016;23:757–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  82. Matiz P. Wax models collection from “Museo de Historia de la Medicina Andrés Soriano Lleras”, Bogotá-Colombia: challenges for Colombian Medical Heritage. In: International Congress on Wax Modelling (Blanch E, Sañudo J R. eds) Madrid, June 29th-30th, 2017, School of Medicine. Complutense University Madrid, Spain. Eur J Anat. 2017;21:214–60.

    Google Scholar 

  83. Montenegro VA, Trefilio DE, Borghino BN, Páez RE, Aranega CI. Pedro Ara anatomic museum. Neurol Res. 2006;28:115–25.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  84. Imaizumi T, Nagatoya Y. Dermatologic moulage in Japan. Int J Dermatol. 1995;34:817–21.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  85. Koka K. The Mayo Clinic wax models: an introduction. Ceroplastics. International Congress on Wax Modelling. Modelling the Flesh, London; 2017. 1–3 Sept 2017. https://www.waxmodellinglondon2017.com/.

    Google Scholar 

  86. Gupta G, Prestigiacomo CJ. From sealing wax to bone wax: predecessors to Horsley’s development. Neurosurg Focus. 2007;23(1):E16.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  87. Schonauer C, Tessitore E, Barbagallo G, Albanese V, Moraci A. The use of local agents: bone wax, gelatin, collagen, oxidized cellulose. Eur Spine J. 2004;13(Supp 1):S89–96.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  88. Porro A, Franchini AF, Lorusso L, Falconi B. Gli strumenti di pronto soccorso in azienda: un’analisi storica (1840-1914). Med Lav. 2015;106(1):48–64.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. Nicoli Aldini N, Armocida E, Ruggeri A. L’arte della ceroplastica come mezzo per la dimostrazione e la documentazione nella chirurgia odonto-stomatologica. In: SISOS Società Italiana di Storia dell’Odontostomatologia. Atti XII Congresso Nazionale, Torino, 13 febbraio 2010. XIII Congresso Nazionale. Bologna, 3 novembre 2012, a cura di Paolo Zampetti. Torino: Tu.E.Or; 2014. p. 51–4.

    Google Scholar 

  90. Porro A, Cristini C, Falconi B, Franchini AF, Galimberti PM, Lorusso L. Lezioni di Storia della medicina 2. Rudiano: GAM; 2011b.

    Google Scholar 

  91. Gatineau L. La ceroplastique. Manuel a l’usage des dermatologistes & chirurgiens-dentistes. Paris: Ash; 1928a.

    Google Scholar 

  92. Gatineau L. La ceroplastique. Manuel a l’usage des dermatologistes & chirurgiens-dentistes. Paris: Doin; 1928b.

    Google Scholar 

  93. Neligan PC, Gurtner GC. Plastic surgery. Priciples. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  94. Dugain M. La chambre des officiers. Paris: Lattès; 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  95. La chambre des officiers. 2001. Film directed by François Dupeyron.

    Google Scholar 

  96. Benmoussa N, Hansen K, Charlier P. Use of fat grafts in facial reconstruction on the wounded soldiers from the First World War (WWI) by Hippolyte Morestin (1869–1919). Ann Plast Surg. 2017;79(5):420–2.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  97. Cannady SB, Cook TA, Wax MK. The total nasal defect and reconstruction. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 2009;17(2):189–201.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  98. Lau J, Elhassan HA, Singh N. History of intranasal splint. J Laryngol Otol. 2018;132(3):198–201.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  99. Dolbeau HF. Notice sur les titre set travaux scientifiques du Dr.Dolbeau, vol 1. Paris: Imprimerie E. Martinet; 1866. p. 16.

    Google Scholar 

  100. Dolbeau HF. Leçons de clinique chirurgicale professées à l’Hôtel-Dieu de Paris, vol. 1. Paris: G Masson et fils; 1867. p. 438.

    Google Scholar 

  101. Steimle RH. A note on the use of wax for bone hemostasis Henri-Ferdinand Dolbeau (1840-77). J Hist Neurosci. 1993;2:243–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  102. Das JM. Bone wax in neurosurgery: a review. World Neurosurg. 2018;116:72–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  103. Horsley V. Antiseptic wax. BMJ. 1892;1:1165.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  104. Powell MP. Sir Victor Horsley at the birth of neurosurgery. Brain. 2016;139:631–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  105. Chu L, Yang J-S, Yu K-X, Chen C-M, Hao D-J, Deng Z-L. Usage of Bone Wax to facilitate percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy via anterior transcorporeal approach for cervical intervertebral disc herniation. World Neurosurg. 2018;118:102–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Porro, A., Lorusso, L. (2020). Wax Anatomical Models and Neuroscience: From Artistic Italian Creation to Therapeutic Approach. In: Colombo, B. (eds) Brain and Art. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23580-2_12

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23580-2_12

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-23579-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-23580-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics