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Corruption and Plague…
The Wax Works of Gaetano Zumbo

Gaetano Giulio Zumbo (1656-1701) was a wax sculptor with an obsession with anatomy and corruption. He is best known for his anatomical models laying in the LA SPECOLA section of the Museum of Natural History in Florence, Italy, but he also created a series of momento mori tableau for his patron the Grand Duke of Tuscany focused on the stages of decomposition of the human body. He also created pieces focused on death by plague and syphilis. By today’s standards, his work is morbid and horrifically beautiful, but perhaps death was a much more familiar face in the 17th century than it is now. Check out a selection of his work below…

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A.66-1938 Relief A Damned Soul; Wax relief, in the style of Gaetano Giulio Zumbo, Italy, ca. 1670-1700. Gaetano Giulio Zumbo (1656-1701), style of Italy Ca. 1700 Wax, on painted copper
A.66-1938
Relief
A Damned Soul; Wax relief, in the style of Gaetano Giulio Zumbo, Italy, ca. 1670-1700.
Gaetano Giulio Zumbo (1656-1701), style of
Italy
Ca. 1700
Wax, on painted copper
Written By

Meghan MacRae grew up in Vancouver, Canada, but spent many years living in the remote woods. Living in the shadow of grizzly bears, cougars and the other predators of the wilderness taught her about the dark side of nature, and taught her to accept her place in nature's order as their prey. She is co-founder of CVLT Nation.

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