Dream Anatomy Catalogue

Posted by Susan Meyers on March 16th, 2007 Posted in: News from NLM

---

Announcing DREAM ANATOMY Catalogue, a new publication from the National Library of Medicine

Some 500 years ago, a new science of anatomy emerged, based on dissections of the human body and spectacular illustrated texts. Anatomical imagery proliferated, detailed and informative but also whimsical, surreal, beautiful and, at times, grotesque. This catalogue, based on the National Library of Medicine’s Dream Anatomy exhibition, displays the anatomical imagination in some of its most astonishing incarnations, from the fourteenth century to the present.

The lavishly illustrated, 180-page, full-color volume is based on the celebrated National Library of Medicine Dream Anatomy exhibition. The volume is enriched with additional art treasures from the NLM collection and an interpretive essay by exhibition curator Michael Sappol, author of A Traffic of Dead Bodies and a leading figure on the history of anatomy.

Copies of Dream Anatomy are available for $30. Click here to purchase.

Here’s what people are saying about the DREAM ANATOMY catalogue:

[E]ither the most beautifully written art book I’ve ever come across, or the most beautifully illustrated essay. Michael Sappol’s commanding expertise and bold, inventive insights inform and illuminate in eloquent prose.
—Mary Roach, author of Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers.

A dream-come-true resource for illustrating the history of medicine…Dream Anatomy richly demonstrates the developing knowledge of anatomy and progression of printing techniques over five centuries.
—Charleen M. Moore, anatomist and Professor, Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

[A] beautifully articulated exploration of the interrelated histories of anatomical art, science, and technology.
—JD Talasek, Curator of Exhibitions, National Academy of Sciences.