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Photographs from the anatomical collection of
The Mütter Museum,
College of Physicians of Philadelphia
1997—2007
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The negatives for these photographs were shot at the Mütter Museum in 1997, but had been sitting forgotten in a drawer for a decade until I found them again and decided to dust them off. I remember that when I first had this film processed I was rather disappointed with how washed out the prints seemed.
Having rediscovered them, I realized that they were actually quite successful (my previous impression was due to a mediocre printing job — the negatives themselves were perfect). These photographs inspired me to pursue a new project called Cabinet of Curiosities, which focuses on
unusual artifacts found in medical and anatomy museums. That series of drawings, prints and photographs is available to be viewed now — including new photographs from the Mütter taken in August 2008.
These photographs are dedicated to the memory of Gretchen Worden, who provided the access that made them possible.
Chang & Eng No. 1
Chang & Eng No. 2
Plaster death cast of Chang & Eng Bunker, the original Siamese Twins.
Calcified No. 1
Calcified No. 2
Skeleton of Harry Eastlack (1933-1973) who suffered from fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, a condition in which muscle and connective tissue turns to bone.
Dwarf skeleton
Conjoined
Plaster death cast of conjoined twins Mina and Minnie Finley (b. 12 October 1870,
d. 18 July 1871) of Peru Township, Ohio.
Rumanian, from Moldavia (Hyrtl Skull Collection)
Categorized skulls (Hyrtl Skull Collection)
Austrian anatomist and phrenologist Joseph Hyrtl amassed a large collection of human skulls and other bones from around the world for use in comparative anatomy studies. The Mütter Museum acquired more than 100 skulls from his collection in 1874.
[All photographs by James G. Mundie.
Reproduction without express permission of the artist
and the Mütter Museum is prohibited.]
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All Images and Text © James G. Mundie 2008 - 2009
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