New exhibition, Anatomical Cabinet of Professor Hochstetter, will open at the RSU Anatomy Museum

A new exhibition, Professor Hochstetter's Anatomical Cabinet, will open to visitors at the Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Anatomy Museum on Thursday, 5 September. This exhibition will feature historical anatomical specimens created between the late 18th century and the early 20th century. This valuable collection was donated to RSU in 2021 by Swiss anatomist and anatomy historian, Oscar Baldomero.

Prof. Arthur von Hochstetter (1918–1997) was an Austrian anatomist and a beloved anatomy lecturer at the University of Basel. During his lifetime, he amassed a vast historical anatomical collection – tens of thousands of specimens that were meant to be disposed of as outdated and unsuitable for study.

In the second half of the 20th century, medical institutions' attitudes toward anatomical collections shifted. The methods of teaching anatomy gradually changed, with plastic models replacing dissections and, later, digital solutions taking over. As a result, historical collections seemingly lost their primary function as exhibits in teaching anatomy to medical students.

Over time, countless larger and smaller anatomical collections have been lost. Prof. Hochstetter recognised the value of these historical materials, carefully preserved them, and continued to use them in education and research. He amassed his collection in locations where he studied or worked – in Austria, Switzerland and Canada. The oldest items in the collection date back to the 18th century, offering us a glimpse into the techniques of anatomical preparation developed over the past two centuries.

After Prof. Hochstetter's death, the collection was inherited by his colleague, anatomist and history of anatomy scholar Oscar Baldomero. In 2022, Baldomero donated several items from the collection to the RSU Anatomy Museum, ensuring that they continue to fulfil their original purpose – to educate and improve lives.

Professor Hochstetter's Cabinet is integrated into the museum's basement exhibition and will be on permanent display, accessible with the purchase of a museum ticket.

Supported by Roche Latvia.