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Was the Ripper influenced by anatomical wax models?
In the late 18th century (1780 - 1790) there were lifelike wax models that were made and presented to the public, in various places including Bologna and Florence (including others)
These wax models were a combination of artistic beauty combined with anatomical accuracy; whereby parts of the models could be opened up, dissected and removed to reveal the inner workings of the human form.
The models drew a lot of attention and curiosity, and were seen as revolutionary to the medical world, as well as intriguing to the general public who could view the various models laying in state.
It could be argued that the models closely resemble the manner in which the Ripper displayed and presented some of his victims around a century later.
Could these models have influenced the mind of the Ripper?
Perhaps
But we need something closer to home, something tangible.
Wax models from a century before the murders seems too far removed.
However, there was a man who brought the idea of those wax models into the forefront of thinking in London and whose work had an influence and direct impact on the medical world of the Victorian era, and an influence that is still felt to this day.
A man named Joseph Towne
Joseph Towne was a sculptor and anatomical modeller.
Born on 25th November 1806 in Royston, and son of Reverend Thomas Towne who himself was a director of the London Missionary society.
Joseph developed an interest in the field of anatomical modelling from a young age, and in 1825 at the age of 18, Joseph had built a full model of a skeleton that he took to a professor of anatomy.
The reception he received was so positive that he then took the Skeleton to London to enter into a competition.
He was introduced to a surgeon at Guys Hospital in London, who had seen the Skeleton and analysed it for its anatomical accuracy. The surgeon was so impressed that within a short space of time, Joseph was offered a job as the anatomical modeller for the medical school situated at Guys hospital.
Long story short...
Joseph Towne remained as the anatomical modeller and sculptor at Guys Hospital for 53 years.
He died on the 25th June 1879.
Interestingly, he remained loyal to Guys Hospital and refused to work for any of the other London Hospitals who had requested his services.
In his 53 years at Guys, Joseph Towne had produced countless numbers of wax models and sculptors to aid the medical school and the various doctors and surgeons who used his models directly for training purposes.
So how does this all relate to the Ripper?
Well, we can be sure that Joseph himself wasn't the Ripper as he died in 1879.
We can also be sure that Joseph's son and namesake Joseph, was also not the Ripper. Joseph (junior) was a medical/surgical student who died of consumption aged just 21 years old.
Going back to Joseph Towne (senior) ;the work he did on creating lifelike and macabre representations of various illnesses and diseases, is arguably something that would have influenced the scores of surgeons and doctors who had used his models to learn and test their own skills and abilities.
Joseph had used the earlier "anatomical venuses" as his inspiration to create his own lifelike wax models. But the key difference being that Joseph's work was devoid of any interest in making his models look beautiful or artistic. Instead, Joseph opted for realism over art, and some of his models were particularly grotesque. This was done deliberately for the benefit of those using his models for training purposes.
Above all, his models were seen as emotive.
And that's perhaps the most relevant point here.
When we look at some of Joseph's wax modelling work, we can perhaps see how an Impressionable medical and/or surgical student could be influenced by it and use it as a means to not only learn about anatomy, but to use that knowledge and apply it in real terms by choosing to murder and mutilate women on the street.
In summary, when we combine the original anatomical venuses from the 1780's and 1790's and then combine those with the work of Joseph Towne, who then went on to make wax models that were then used directly by surgeons and doctors who were training at Guys hospital, then we can see a potential link between the wax models and the way in which they may just have been the initial spark that drove the Ripper to kill.
I would consider taking a closer look at any and every surgeon and doctor that had trained at Guys. We can be certain that they would have all used Joseph's models to gain anatomical knowledge.
I believe that IF the Ripper was a surgeon or doctor, then he did indeed train at Guys hospital, and then used Joseph's models (who himself had been influenced by the anatomical venuses) to learn his trade.
But more probably; a failed surgeon or someone who failed to complete their training.
What's interesting to add is that Joseph's wax models survive to this day and are still used for training purposes. They can still be found at the museum at Guys Hospital.
Joseph's wax models were the gold standard of the time and have stood the test of time; a testament to Joseph's skills as an anatomical modeller and sculptor.
But it's not only Joseph's work that still exists; the anatomical venuses that inspired Joseph himself, also still exist, and can be found in a public museum in Italy.
Is Joseph Towne's life work the link between the anatomical venuses and the man who went on to become the Ripper?
Take a look for yourself.
Was the Ripper influenced by anatomical wax models?
In the late 18th century (1780 - 1790) there were lifelike wax models that were made and presented to the public, in various places including Bologna and Florence (including others)
These wax models were a combination of artistic beauty combined with anatomical accuracy; whereby parts of the models could be opened up, dissected and removed to reveal the inner workings of the human form.
The models drew a lot of attention and curiosity, and were seen as revolutionary to the medical world, as well as intriguing to the general public who could view the various models laying in state.
It could be argued that the models closely resemble the manner in which the Ripper displayed and presented some of his victims around a century later.
Could these models have influenced the mind of the Ripper?
Perhaps
But we need something closer to home, something tangible.
Wax models from a century before the murders seems too far removed.
However, there was a man who brought the idea of those wax models into the forefront of thinking in London and whose work had an influence and direct impact on the medical world of the Victorian era, and an influence that is still felt to this day.
A man named Joseph Towne
Joseph Towne was a sculptor and anatomical modeller.
Born on 25th November 1806 in Royston, and son of Reverend Thomas Towne who himself was a director of the London Missionary society.
Joseph developed an interest in the field of anatomical modelling from a young age, and in 1825 at the age of 18, Joseph had built a full model of a skeleton that he took to a professor of anatomy.
The reception he received was so positive that he then took the Skeleton to London to enter into a competition.
He was introduced to a surgeon at Guys Hospital in London, who had seen the Skeleton and analysed it for its anatomical accuracy. The surgeon was so impressed that within a short space of time, Joseph was offered a job as the anatomical modeller for the medical school situated at Guys hospital.
Long story short...
Joseph Towne remained as the anatomical modeller and sculptor at Guys Hospital for 53 years.
He died on the 25th June 1879.
Interestingly, he remained loyal to Guys Hospital and refused to work for any of the other London Hospitals who had requested his services.
In his 53 years at Guys, Joseph Towne had produced countless numbers of wax models and sculptors to aid the medical school and the various doctors and surgeons who used his models directly for training purposes.
So how does this all relate to the Ripper?
Well, we can be sure that Joseph himself wasn't the Ripper as he died in 1879.
We can also be sure that Joseph's son and namesake Joseph, was also not the Ripper. Joseph (junior) was a medical/surgical student who died of consumption aged just 21 years old.
Going back to Joseph Towne (senior) ;the work he did on creating lifelike and macabre representations of various illnesses and diseases, is arguably something that would have influenced the scores of surgeons and doctors who had used his models to learn and test their own skills and abilities.
Joseph had used the earlier "anatomical venuses" as his inspiration to create his own lifelike wax models. But the key difference being that Joseph's work was devoid of any interest in making his models look beautiful or artistic. Instead, Joseph opted for realism over art, and some of his models were particularly grotesque. This was done deliberately for the benefit of those using his models for training purposes.
Above all, his models were seen as emotive.
And that's perhaps the most relevant point here.
When we look at some of Joseph's wax modelling work, we can perhaps see how an Impressionable medical and/or surgical student could be influenced by it and use it as a means to not only learn about anatomy, but to use that knowledge and apply it in real terms by choosing to murder and mutilate women on the street.
In summary, when we combine the original anatomical venuses from the 1780's and 1790's and then combine those with the work of Joseph Towne, who then went on to make wax models that were then used directly by surgeons and doctors who were training at Guys hospital, then we can see a potential link between the wax models and the way in which they may just have been the initial spark that drove the Ripper to kill.
I would consider taking a closer look at any and every surgeon and doctor that had trained at Guys. We can be certain that they would have all used Joseph's models to gain anatomical knowledge.
I believe that IF the Ripper was a surgeon or doctor, then he did indeed train at Guys hospital, and then used Joseph's models (who himself had been influenced by the anatomical venuses) to learn his trade.
But more probably; a failed surgeon or someone who failed to complete their training.
What's interesting to add is that Joseph's wax models survive to this day and are still used for training purposes. They can still be found at the museum at Guys Hospital.
Joseph's wax models were the gold standard of the time and have stood the test of time; a testament to Joseph's skills as an anatomical modeller and sculptor.
But it's not only Joseph's work that still exists; the anatomical venuses that inspired Joseph himself, also still exist, and can be found in a public museum in Italy.
Is Joseph Towne's life work the link between the anatomical venuses and the man who went on to become the Ripper?
Take a look for yourself.
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