XY2774_T&HCat-Spr14_UK_SP_028-029
11/29/13
3:44 PM
Black Yellow Magenta Cyan
The Sick Rose Published in association with the Wellcome Collection Richard Barnett is a medical historian and a Wellcome Trust Engagement Fellow. His first book, Medical London: City of Diseases, City of Cures, was Book of the Week on Radio 4.
354 illustrations, 345 in colour 24.0 x 17.0cm 256pp ISBN 978 0 500 517345 May
£19.95 28 Illustration
Disease and the Art of Medical Illustration Richard Barnett A covetable collection for artists, historians and aficionados of the weird and wonderful, The Sick Rose combines social history with astonishing, sometimes gruesome, artwork In an era before widespread colour photography, accurate medical illustrations were relied upon to teach students and aid diagnosis. The best examples, featured in this book, are beautiful and morbid, sublime and singular, and remarkable pieces of art. Organized by disease, each chapter focuses on the historical impact of a particular affliction. Objects from the Wellcome Collection, such as early stethoscopes, vaccination kits and other medical miscellanea are also featured, as are additional caricatures, diagrams, paintings and maps. The epidemics that shaped the century, such as tuberculosis and syphilis, are placed in context through a lively text by Richard Barnett, who proves to be an affable guide through some macabre territory. This fascinating Wunderkammer of a book will enthral artists, designers, historians, fans of Francis Bacon, lovers of Zola, readers of Dickens, reciters of Keats and the incurably curious everywhere.