Musei, ceroplastica anatomica e teatri anatomici nella Napoli dell’età moderna

The research group THESA (THEatre Science Anatomy) is honored to present the proceedings of the conference The Art and Space of Anatomy: Origins, History, and Functions of Anatomical Theatres, held in Bologna on November 17–18, 2023. The volume is divided into six sessions (The Architecture of Anatomy Theatres I and II; History and Evolution of Anatomical Dissection; Anatomy between Social and Cultural Aspects; Theatre as a Museum Space: Perspectives and Case Studies; Artists and Theatres of Anatomy) and includes 46 articles in Italian and English, written by scholars from across Europe and North America. The international conference focused on the historical development of anatomical theatres, highlighting their pivotal role in advancing scientific knowledge and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. It examined the diverse activities hosted within these spaces, the evolution of their architectural and stylistic features, and their enduring relevance in contemporary discourse. Surviving anatomical theatres stand as distinctive cultural and historical landmarks within urban environments, having functioned as hubs for both scientific inquiry and artistic expression. The primary aim of this book is to consolidate fragmented information regarding the construction, design and characteristics of anatomical theatres, as well as to investigate the functioning and organization of the lessons and dissections held in these spaces. Although many scholars have examined individual theatres, a comprehensive and multidisciplinary perspective on the subject is still lacking. Accordingly, another key objective of the conference was to foster the development of a supranational network of researchers dedicated to underscoring the significance of anatomical theatres in the history of both medicine and art, while also highlighting their broader societal and anthropological impact. This volume represents the first milestone in the pursuit of that ambitious project. THESA is a research group founded in 2016 with the objective of (re)discovering, surveying, and classifying historical anatomical theatres that emerged between the sixteenth and mid-twentieth centuries. The project’s initial focus is to locate surviving theatres within universities and hospitals in the context of Italy. Concurrently, the group is conducting extensive bibliographic and archival research to document theatres that no longer exist. To date, the THESA has identified approximately 50 anatomical theatres scattered throughout Italy.