["The Venus of Pest"--expedition of an anatomical beauty].

Abstract

The Semmelweis-Museum in Budapest, Hungary, has a small collection of anatomical wax models. Studying the correspondence of the Austrian emperor Joseph II., then King of Hungary with representatives of the Hungarian administration, we were able to find out the origin of these models, their transportation to Hungary and their large significance in anatomical teaching at the end of the 18th century in Hungary. These models are the result of a long-lasting cooperation between artists and anatomists, particularly in Italy. Their artistic climax is reached during the second term of the 18th century, reflecting the complex interaction of contemporary sociocultural trends i.e. popularization of results of scientific research, traits of enlightenment combined with an artistic hyperidealistic typization as known from classical antiquity and sponsored financially as a means of imperial representation. The aim of the study was to point to the eminent importance of this collection as a monument of cultural heritage.