La Specola is the only place in town where one can see a 3oo year old hippopotamus right alongside realistic human wax anatomical models with their internal organs spewing forth. Yes, la specola has it all. My body of work this semester has been centered around human anatomy and anatomical diagrams, so it was only natural that I would gravitate towards Europe's largest collection of anatomical waxes. Not only are the figures frighteningly lifelike, but seem to be from some long lost romantic horror story. To mirror the complex and fanciful way their organs are spilling out of their abdomens, the female waxes have equally intricate braided hair, intertwined with delicate strings of pearls across their throats. La Specola is a true mix of the 18th century quest for truth and romantic ideals.
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