Didn't know of #LaSpecola, but must learn more.

Photo of many wax botanical models in pots on display. The models are in life-size to the modeled plants. The walls and display shelves are painted in green.

Photo showing the wax botanical model of "Cactus truncastus" in front of a green wall. The plant is placed in a pot with an oval cartouche that shows the name of the plant, as known in the eighteenth century. Next to the pot (to the bottom right of the picture plane) is a small wax model showing the flower head that is cut in half and placed on a ceramic dish shaped like a seashell.

Photo of wax models of plant anatomy displayed on shelves. The walls have pink wallpaper and the shelves are also painted pink.

Photo of a set of wax models showing the physiological preparation of Cucurbita pepo under a glass case.

Another article I'm working on within the #VisualizingTheUnknown project is about historical three-dimensional representations of plant anatomy. What a treat to be able to see these incredible 18th- and 19th-c. wax botanical models at #LaSpecola in Florence. #histsci

Scorci #laspecola #osservatorio #padova @ La Specola