Stiffs, Skulls & Skeletons: Medical Photography and Symbolism

Stanley B. Burns, MD & Elizabeth A. Burns of The Burns Archive will present a lecture and book signing of their latest publication Stiffs, Skulls & Skeletons: Medical Photography and Symbolism.

Stiffs, Skulls & Skeletons: Medical Photography and Symbolism is a comprehensive and intriguing exploration of the skeleton and dead body. This work reveals the nineteenth-century fascination with the dead body and body parts.

The skull is the most significant and time-honored prop for self-validation in a profession. The physician, the actor, the scientist, the explorer, the holy man, and the warrior all pose with skulls to convey accomplishment and status. In these images, the attitude of those posing with body parts changes over time, as each generation acquired new knowledge and approached the sanctity of the body with new cultural considerations. These photographs provide clear evidence of how our society has changed. Many cultural phenomena disappear from collective memory, as changing cultural taboos dictate the past be hidden. But, they are also beautiful examples of the art of photography and its ability to portray unpleasant subject matter artistically.











When: Thu., Mar. 31, 2016 at 7:00 pm
Where: Morbid Anatomy Museum
424 Third Ave. Brooklyn

Price: $8
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Stanley B. Burns, MD & Elizabeth A. Burns of The Burns Archive will present a lecture and book signing of their latest publication Stiffs, Skulls & Skeletons: Medical Photography and Symbolism.

Stiffs, Skulls & Skeletons: Medical Photography and Symbolism is a comprehensive and intriguing exploration of the skeleton and dead body. This work reveals the nineteenth-century fascination with the dead body and body parts.

The skull is the most significant and time-honored prop for self-validation in a profession. The physician, the actor, the scientist, the explorer, the holy man, and the warrior all pose with skulls to convey accomplishment and status. In these images, the attitude of those posing with body parts changes over time, as each generation acquired new knowledge and approached the sanctity of the body with new cultural considerations. These photographs provide clear evidence of how our society has changed. Many cultural phenomena disappear from collective memory, as changing cultural taboos dictate the past be hidden. But, they are also beautiful examples of the art of photography and its ability to portray unpleasant subject matter artistically.

Buy tickets/get more info now