Exhibition: SKIN: A LAYERED HISTORY

This new exhibition at Royal College of Physicians at Edinburgh, explores the changing meaning of skin from the 1500s to the present day. Bringing together artefacts spanning scientific illustrations, early modern rare books, medicines, wax models, prostheses and sculptures, this exhibition uncovers the social, cultural and medical history of skin.

The exhibition is split into four themes. It starts by exploring the role of the skin as a boundary – one which might need to be breached to let out the disease trapped within. It then moves on to uncover the history of skin diagnosis and treatment, including the role which scientific illustrations and wax models played in the development of dermatology. The exhibition then considers the history of skin markings – from scars to tattoos. Finally, the exhibition explores skin-related prejudice past and present, in the context of racism, sexism and classism.

The exhibition will run from 10 February 2023 – 13 October 2023, Monday – Friday, 10am – 4.30pm and is Free entry

More details including contact for booking group visits available at https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/heritage/skin-layered-history

* * *