Musei, ceroplastica anatomica e teatri anatomici nella Napoli dell’età moderna in L’arte e lo spazio dell’anatomia: origini, storia e funzioni dei teatri anatomici

Anatomy has long been a cornerstone of medical education, continuously evolving through various challenges over the centuries. Today, the most effective teaching methods for this discipline remain a subject of ongoing debate. Anatomical dissection for educational purposes dates back to the Middle Ages. In A.D. 1231, EmperorFrederick II, while signing the Constitutions of Melfi, mandated that medical schools must dissect at least one human body every five years and required all medical practitioners to attend these dissections. During the Renaissance, the study of morphology became a profound exploration of life, suffering, and death, blending artistic and spiritual elements. In Naples, Antonio Nanula established an anatomical theatre at the Ospedale dell’Annunziata, which was later moved to the Hospital of San Francesco di Paola. This study aims to explore the development of anatomical art in modern Naples, tracing the contributions of Antonio Nanula, Giuseppe Salerno, and Efisio Marini.