A self-portrait in wax depicts Anna Morandi Manzolini dissecting a human brain, a testament to her unique mastery of both anatomical precision and artistic sculpture. Operating from 18th-century Bologna, she moved beyond domestic constraints to establish an international reputation, eventually becoming a lecturer of anatomy who transformed the scientific study of the human form through her lifelike preparations.
Collaborative Beginnings
Born in 1714, Morandi married Giovanni Manzolini in 1736. The couple opened a home studio that functioned as a laboratory for anatomical research and wax modeling. By the early 1750s, their joint work, which blended Giovanni’s anatomical knowledge with Anna’s artistic skill, gained recognition across Italy. They regularly dissected cadavers to inform their sculptural reconstructions, training numerous medical students within their private school.
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Following the death of her husband in 1755, Morandi secured her own professional standing. Despite receiving job offers from international universities, she remained in Bologna. After appealing to the Pope and passing an examination by the Bolognese Senate, she was appointed Lecturer in Anatomy at the University of Bologna. She later received the titles of Professor of Anatomy in 1756 and Modelatrice in 1760.
Scientific Contributions
Morandi’s expertise was rooted in the dissection of over 1,000 cadavers. Her anatomical observations led to the identification of previously unknown structures, including the termination of the eye's oblique muscle. She was the first to reproduce minute structures, such as nerves and capillary vessels, in wax. Her collection, known as Supellex Manzoliniana, served as a foundational archetype for future educational anatomical models.
Legacy and Recognition
Her work earned invitations from major European figures, including Catherine II of Russia and Emperor Joseph II of Austria. She was elected a member of the British Royal Society and the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno. Morandi died in 1774 at age 60 and was buried at San Procolo. Her wax busts remain part of the collection at the Palazzo Poggi.
Fast facts
- Born: 1714, Bologna
- Died: 1774, Bologna
- Primary occupations: Anatomist, sculptor, painter
- University of Bologna appointment: Lecturer in Anatomy
- Burial site: San Procolo
- Notable work: Supellex Manzoliniana
- Selected honors: Professor of Anatomy, member of British Royal Society
Questions readers ask
What was the Supellex Manzoliniana?
It was her extensive collection of anatomical wax models, which was famous throughout Europe for its accuracy and use in medical education.
Did Morandi work alone?
She initially collaborated with her husband, Giovanni Manzolini, but she surpassed his skill and reputation, eventually continuing their work independently after his death in 1755.
