The Obstetric Museum in Modena: an eighteenth century anatomical cabinet for obstetrics

Professor Antonio Scarpa started his obstetrics classes in Modena in December 1775 in the Anatomical Theatre, which was built between 1774 and 1775 within the Grande Ospedale per gli Infermi (Great Hospital for Invalids). He moved to Modena from Padua to teach anatomy in the University on orders of Duke Francesco III d’Este.Scarpa wanted to support his teaching with models of natural and non-natural childbirth. The following year, in 1776, he got permission from Marquis Gherardo Rangoni, who was Magistrate for Studies, to make an Obstetric Museum. The Obstetric Museum was in what is now a large room just to the left of the entrance of the Anatomical Theatre. We know this from a description found in an inventory of 1788.