Clemente Susini's wax anatomical models, Anatomical wax museum in the Citadel of Museums, Cagliari, Italy

The Clemente Susini anatomical wax collection is displayed in the pentagonal hall of the Cittadella dei Musei in Cagliari, reached past the neoclassical Arsenal arch and up to the right. The waxes are mounted on 23 wooden tables, each holding one or more pieces, kept in glass cases with captions. They reproduce parts of the male and female human body.

In 1801 Francesco Boi, professor of anatomy at Cagliari, travelled to Florence and worked with Paolo Mascagni at the anatomical cabinet of Santa Maria Nuova. There, between 1803 and 1805, Clemente Susini modelled the waxes in the La Specola workshop from Boi's cadaver dissections. Carlo Felice bought them in 1805 for his museum in the Royal Palace of Cagliari.

The models reveal how medical knowledge and artistic skill came together during the 18th century. You can see how this approach to teaching anatomy shaped both scientific practice and artistic approaches to representing the human body.

The collection is housed within a museum complex where you can view the models during regular opening hours. It is worth taking your time to appreciate the fine details and craftsmanship of each piece on display.

The collection is mounted on 23 wooden boards, each holding one or more wax pieces behind glass with captions. Board III shows the head and trunk of a young girl; boards XXII and XXIII show a pregnant uterus and an opened female abdomen at full term. In 2010 photographs of these Cagliari waxes were chosen for a Russian anatomy atlas.