Taxidermy at Natural History Museum
- The National Museum of Natural History prepares to open its "Deserts" exhibition, highlighting the meticulous work of taxidermists in preserving and presenting animal specimens.
- In a workshop tucked away within the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN), Christophe Voisin and Isabelle Huynh Chan Hang are meticulously bringing two meriones to life.
- The taxidermists' process is a delicate blend of artistry and scientific precision.
natural History Museum Unveils Taxidermy Exhibition, showcasing art and Science
Table of Contents
- natural History Museum Unveils Taxidermy Exhibition, showcasing art and Science
- A Living Library
- An Age-Old Art Form
- Preserving Life: A Look Inside the world of Taxidermy at the Natural History museum
- What is Taxidermy?
- What is the natural History Museum doing with Taxidermy?
- How Does the Taxidermy Process Work?
- What Challenges Do Taxidermists Face?
- where Do the Animals Come From?
- What Types of Techniques Do Taxidermists use?
- How Has Taxidermy Changed Over time?
- How Long Does it Take to Become a Taxidermist?
- Is Taxidermy an Art or a Science?
- What Animals Aren’t Suitable for Taxidermy?
- In Summary
PARIS (AP) —
The National Museum of Natural History prepares to open its “Deserts” exhibition, highlighting the meticulous work of taxidermists in preserving and presenting animal specimens.
In a workshop tucked away within the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN), Christophe Voisin and Isabelle Huynh Chan Hang are meticulously bringing two meriones to life. These gerbil-like rodents, native to the arid landscapes of Africa and Asia, are destined for the museum’s upcoming “Deserts” exhibition, opening Wednesday.
The taxidermists’ process is a delicate blend of artistry and scientific precision. They carefully wrap the femur and tibia of the small rodents, along with a supporting metal frame, in cotton and string, painstakingly recreating the animals’ musculature.This framework is then gently inserted beneath the treated skin, ensuring even the tiniest claws remain perfectly positioned.
A crucial step involves creating a mold of the skull during the initial planning. Using resin and delicate pins,the taxidermists sculpt the eye sockets,affixing glass beads to replicate the animals’ eyes. Attention is also given to ensuring the ears maintain a natural, alert posture.
Gradually,the meriones take shape,standing upright on their hind legs,seemingly restored to their former vitality.
Nearby, Vincent Cuisset, another member of the museum’s taxidermy team, delicately repairs the ears of an antelope using glue and a fine brush.
Taxidermists face constant challenges. Infestations of mites and dermestid beetles, along with fluctuations in temperature and humidity, pose significant threats to the integrity of the specimens. These environmental factors have, in the past, caused considerable damage to even large specimens like rhinoceroses and hippopotamuses.
The workshop is filled with the tools of the trade: hammers, pliers, saws, and a diverse collection of preserved animals, including flamingos, storks, monkeys, and fish.
A Living Library
The renowned animal procession in the museum’s Great Gallery of Evolution represents only a fraction of the millions of naturalized specimens held by the institution, which dates back to the 17th century. Some of the oldest specimens predate the French Revolution, including, as Cuisset notes, a “Little Merle killed by Louis XVI.”
The museum’s collections are continually expanding.
Aude Lalis, a researcher in evolutionary biology and the collections manager at the MNHN, explains that the museum no longer undertakes large-scale naturalistic expeditions to collect specimens as was common in the 18th century.
Today, most animals come from zoos or wildlife rehabilitation centers. Upon arrival, frequently enough frozen, they are meticulously labeled, weighed, and measured. Taxidermists also collect samples at the request of researchers, including DNA, heart and muscle tissue from mammals, and liver and intestinal samples from birds of prey.
Lalis emphasizes that the museum’s collections, a “library of the living,” remain invaluable for addressing a wide range of scientific questions. For example, researchers can analyze the color of dromedary hair using modern techniques or compare contemporary African rodents with specimens collected decades ago.
An Age-Old Art Form
Some specimens are prepared for display purposes, such as the meriones featured in the “Deserts” exhibition.Approximately thirty specimens will be showcased.
Taxidermists collaborate with scientists to determine the most appropriate pose for each animal. voisin notes that in the 19th century, wild animals were often presented in dioramas, recreating their natural habitats, frequently in aggressive or predatory poses.
Huynh Chan Hang adds that today, they strive to modernize this ”age-old art” by presenting animals in a more dynamic and engaging way, offering a fresh perspective that promotes species conservation.
For larger mammals, such as a 600 kg polar bear that had to be suspended at a height of over 3 meters, taxidermists create polyurethane sculptures.The use of 3D printing is also beginning to emerge in the workshop.
In France, only a small number of taxidermists work in museums, including three at the MNHN. they typically undergo a two-year vocational training program followed by extensive on-the-job experience.
Some animals,like fish and reptiles,present particular challenges. Others,such as octopuses and dolphins,are simply not suitable for taxidermy.
Voisin describes taxidermy as both an art and a craft, emphasizing the importance of extensive visual research to achieve realism. He recalls an orangutan as his most challenging project.
“It requires a great deal of documentation and a thorough understanding of facial anatomy to accurately reconstruct facial expressions. We are working with something very close to humans,” he explains.
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Preserving Life: A Look Inside the world of Taxidermy at the Natural History museum
Welcome! Ever wondered how museums bring animals back to “life” for display? This article dives deep into the art and science of taxidermy, exploring the techniques, challenges, and the incredible dedication behind preserving these majestic creatures for future generations.We’ll focus on the work happening at the National Museum of Natural History, offering a unique peek behind the scenes.
What is Taxidermy?
Taxidermy is the art of preserving an animal’s body for presentation, study, or display. It involves a complex process of cleaning, preserving, and mounting the animal’s skin over a supportive structure, recreating the lifelike appearance of the deceased animal the best that they can.
What is the natural History Museum doing with Taxidermy?
The National Museum of natural History (MNHN) in Paris, as highlighted in this article, utilizes taxidermy extensively to create exhibits, preserve specimens for research, and educate the public about the natural world. The museum’s upcoming “Deserts” exhibition showcases this meticulous work, highlighting the blend of art and science that brings these creatures “back to life.” The MNHN also maintains an expansive collection of preserved specimens, a vital “library of the living” for scientific study.
How Does the Taxidermy Process Work?
The process used at the MNHN is a delicate blend of artistry and scientific precision.Here’s a simplified breakdown, according to the article:
- Readiness and Planning: Before they even begin, taxidermists often create molds of the animal’s skull.
- Framework: they carefully wrap the bone structure of small animals with cotton and string, recreating the musculature. A metal frame is often used for support.
- skin Preparation: The treated skin is then carefully inserted over the framework, ensuring even the smallest details, like claws, are positioned correctly.
- Facial Reconstruction: Resin is used to sculpt eye sockets and glass beads are attached to replicate the animal’s eyes.
- Finishing Touches: Ears are sculpted to maintain a natural posture, and a lot of visual research goes into it to make the animal look natural.
What Challenges Do Taxidermists Face?
Taxidermists face ongoing challenges in preserving specimens. Some key hurdles include:
Pest Infestations: Infestations of mites and dermestid beetles can cause considerable damage.
Environmental Factors: Fluctuations in temperature and humidity pose significant threats to the integrity of the specimens as well.
where Do the Animals Come From?
The article notes that, unlike in previous centuries, the museum generally obtains its specimens from modern sources such as:
Zoos
Wildlife rehabilitation centers
* (If necessary) Animal Control
Upon arrival, animals are meticulously labeled, weighed, and measured. Researchers also collect samples for scientific study.
What Types of Techniques Do Taxidermists use?
Taxidermists must have a wide array of skills and use a diverse selection of tools, The workshop is filled with tools such as:
| Tool | Purpose |
|—————–|——————————————|
| Hammers | Used in the creation of the Framework |
| Pliers | Used in the creation of the Framework |
| Saws | Used in the preparation of the framework |
| Fine Brush | Used for restoration of small features |
| Glue | Used for restoration of small features |
For larger mammals, taxidermists often construct polyurethane sculptures. 3D printing is also starting to emerge as a tool in the workshop.
How Has Taxidermy Changed Over time?
Historically, taxidermy frequently enough presented animals in dioramas recreating their habitats, but presented in aggressive or predatory poses. Today, taxidermists strive to offer a more modern approach. This involves presenting animals in more dynamic and engaging ways, and a fresh perspective is often given, highlighting the importance of species conservation.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Taxidermist?
It takes dedication. The taxidermists at the MNHN typically complete a two-year vocational training programme followed by extensive on-the-job experience, ensuring a high level of skill and craftsmanship.
Is Taxidermy an Art or a Science?
Taxidermy is a blend of both art and science.Taxidermists need to use the scientific process to preserve animals, but they also use artistic license to bring them “back to life.” Vincent voisin noted that it takes, “a great deal of documentation and a thorough understanding of facial anatomy to accurately reconstruct facial expressions.”
What Animals Aren’t Suitable for Taxidermy?
Certain animals present unique challenges or are unsuitable for conventional taxidermy methods. According to the article, octopuses and dolphins fall into this category (perhaps for lack of existing methods to preserve in that manner)
In Summary
The work of taxidermists at the National Museum of natural History is a stunning combination of skill, scientific knowlege, and artistic vision. It helps us appreciate the intricacies of the natural world and learn more about our planet and the animals that inhabit it. Taxidermy is a way of preserving the past to help us understand our future.