The Royal College of Physicians Is delighted to announce that the recent ‘Curious Anatomys’ exhibition won first prize as the best small exhibition on the history of science and medicine, 2012, awarded by the British Society For the History Of Science.

The centrepiece of the ‘Curious Anatomys’ exhibition, was a rare set of six anatomical tables. The visually spectacular tables display human veins, nerves and arteries dissected at Padua’s famous anatomy theatre in the 17th century, skilfully arranged on varnished wooden panels. These tables give a fascinating insight into the treatment and study of medicine.

The anatomical tables are now on permanent display at the RCP.

The judges’ statement noted:

Curious anatomys' presents these extremely rare artefacts in an instructive, engaging way…. The sense of immediacy in this exhibition is quite startling, and it breaks new ground in making available such stunning visual objects to a wider public.

The RCP’s current exhibition, Draughtsmanship dissected - the genius of Peter G. Cull, celebrates the anatomical drawings of medical artist Peter Cull and runs until April 2012.