CORY REYNOLDS | DATE 2/14/2016

Morbid Valentine: 'The Anatomical Venus: Wax, God, Death & the Ecstatic'

Today on the Morbid Anatomy Museum's website, founder and creative director Joanna Ebenstein announces the May, 2016 publication of her new study, The Anatomical Venus: Wax, God, Death & the Ecstatic, a ravishing outlier on our list, alongside cult curiosities like The Morbid Anatomy Anthology (edited by Ebenstein) and our own best-selling staff favorite, The Sick Rose: Disease and the Art of Medical Illustration by Richard Barnett. Stay tuned for news about spring launch events, lectures, signings, exhibitions and more!

Eberstein writes, "Morbid Anatomy began in 2007 as a research tool for an exhibition called Anatomical Theatre, which explored the uncanny allure of historical wax medical models. Of all those models, the most seductive and fascinating is life-sized, ecstatically posed Anatomical Venus."

"Since that time, the Anatomical Venus has served as both a guide and a muse, inspiring research and trips around the world; exhibitions, such as Exquisite Bodies at the Wellcome Collection; a variety of lectures and articles; and, as of May 24th, a brand new, hardcover, gorgeously designed, lavishly illustrated 224 page book entitled The Anatomical Venus: Wax, God, Death & the Ecstatic…" To read more, continue to the Morbid Anatomy wesite.

JOANNA EBENSTEIN is a multidisciplinary artist, curator, writer, lecturer and graphic designer. She originated the Morbid Anatomy blog and website, and is cofounder and creative director of the Morbid Anatomy Museum in Brooklyn, New York. She is coauthor of Walter Potter’s Curious World of Taxidermy, with Dr. Pat Morris; coeditor of The Morbid Anatomy Anthology; and acted as curatorial consultant to Wellcome Collection’s Exquisite Bodies exhibition in 2009. She has also worked with such institutions as the New York Academy of Medicine, the Dittrick Museum and the Vrolik Museum.