Anatomica - by Joanna Ebenstein (Hardcover)

About the Book

For centuries, humankind has sought to know itself through an understanding of the body, in sickness and in health, inside and out. This fascination left in its wake a rich body of artworks that demonstrate not only the facts of the human body, but also the ways in which our ideas about the body and its proper representation have changed over time. At times both beautiful and repulsive, illustrated anatomy continues to hold our interest today, and is frequently referenced in popular culture. 'Anatomica' brings together some of the most striking, fascinating and bizarre artworks from the 16th through to the 20th century, exploring human anatomy in one beautiful volume.

Book Synopsis

"There's a fine line between the horrible and the sublime, and Joanna Ebenstein's Anatomica: The Exquisite and Unsettling Art of Human Anatomy walks it." New York Times Book Review

For centuries, humankind has sought to know itself through an understanding of the body, in sickness and in health, inside and out. This fascination left in its wake a rich body of artworks that demonstrate not only the facts of the human body, but also the ways in which our ideas about the body and its proper representation have changed over time. At times both beautiful and unsettling, illustrated anatomy continues to hold our interest today, and is frequently referenced in popular culture. Anatomica brings together some of the most striking, fascinating and bizarre artworks from the the 14th through 20th century, exploring human anatomy in one beautiful volume, with over 250 images.

Review Quotes

"A lovingly curated and beautifully printed collection that belongs on every morbid enthusiast's bookshelf." Caitlin Doughty, mortician, author, and founder of The Order of the Good Death

"If Morticia Adams had a coffee table book, this would probably be it. This is not a book to read, so much as to drink in.it's a book you can browse, like a good exhibition." C Word: The Conservator's Podcast

There's a fine line between the horrible and the sublime, and Joanna Ebenstein's Anatomica: The Exquisite and Unsettling Art of Human Anatomy walks it." New York Times Book Review

Joanna Ebenstein is one of our very best spelunkers into the world of the oddball and the offbeat. She is a masterful curator of things beautifully disgusting and morbidly fascinating. A true resurrectionist, she excels at dredging up from our collective unconscious items of uncanny beauty and terrifying wonder. Colin Dickey, author of Ghostland and The Unidentified

About the Author

Joanna Ebenstein is an internationally recognized expert in the art of anatomy and creator of the Morbid Anatomy blog, library and event series. Her books include Death: A Graveside Companion and The Anatomical Venus, both for Thames and Hudson.