Human Anatomy: Stereoscopic Images of Medical Specimens

Following his highly successful book, “Animal Kingdom”, Jim Naughten brings to life historic specimens of the human body in this peculiarly enthralling collection of stereoscopic photographs.

Historically, stereoscopic photography was widely used in medicine as a teaching aid, so it seems fitting that Jim Naughten’s stereoscopic pictures of human specimens on display at the Vrolik Museum in Amsterdam transform science into art. With over 5,000 immaculately preserved objects, the Vrolik has one of the largest collections of anatomical specimens in the world. Naughten has selected 50 of the most striking examples for this book, including pathological specimens such as skeletons afflicted by rickets and other diseases of the bone; congenital malformations; and dissected heads. Many are photographed in their original wood and glass specimen cases, which lends them a haunting tone. Reproduced with stunning clarity, these transfixing images take the reader on a fascinating journey through the history of the study of anatomy, with the stereoscopic viewer permitting an immersive experience that is not possible with conventional photography.