Flayed Man by Houdon - March 2016

Real size reproduction in plaster of the head of Flayed Man by the French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon (Paris, 1741-1828)

Jean-Antoine Houdon studied in Rome at the Academy of France, from 1764 to 1768. In this period he executed many anatomical studies including the Flayed, his first great success. The inability to preserve corpses properly saw many students of the human body turning to wax and plaster anatomical models that eerily mirrored organs, bones, and other sundry viscera.

You can see our Flyed Man at cod. 11420 of our website.

We thank Doctor Ballestriero for allowing us to consult and use her article.

Bibliography:
Roberta Ballestriero, Anatomical models and wax Venuses: art masterpieces or scientific craft works?
Brunetto Chiarelli e Alberto Simonetta, Storia dei musei naturalistici fiorentini