Engraving. Nuovo Teatro Andtomico nella Universita Romana. 300 x 380mm

Two gentlemen are examining the dissection table at the new anatomy theatre at the University of Rome. The University of Rome was established in the early 1300s and enlarged in 1785 to provide study for chemistry, medicine, anatomy and, from 1792, for midwifery and surgery. As few bodies were available for dissection, demonstrations in theatres enabled a number of medical students to learn human anatomy from watching the same procedure. The first permanent anatomy theatre still in existence was built at the University of Padua in 1594.

The engraving is part of an Italian work from the 1800s showing the interior and exterior of Roman landmarks.