Dr. Fredrik Ruysch

Peter expanded his collection when he visited the private collection of the Dutch embalmer/ anatomist: Fredrik Ruysch (lived from 1638 to 1731) (Great Soviet Encyclopedia volume 2 pg 586). Peter purchased Ruysch’s collection in 1717. Ruysch’s collection was vast, and varied. Ruysch was more concerned with studying anatomy by profession, but his embalming work was a high art. Ruysch embalmed different species with vibrant realism. Fish were preserved in arrangements with coral and shells to make a virtual ocean for them to swim in. Insects were preserved on plants. Animals were arranged in the traditional lifelike manner with a piece of their habitat to simulate life as well(Great Soviet Encyclopedia volume 2 pg 586). These animals were often strange animals which were more fascinating than the average hunting trophy.
Ruysch’s simpler pieces such as “whole fetuses and neonates (newborns) preserved in a secret solution”. This secret solution was made in Ruysch’s time. Formaldehyde wasn’t discovered until 1868(Anemone). It was fist discovered as a gas by a chemist, and the chemical experienced only limited popularity with embalmers until 1900 (Anemone). Ruysch’s secret solution worked well over a hundred years before formaldehyde was discovered. Ruysch was an excellent chemist/anatomist/embalmer/artist. It is no wonder Tsar Peter I was so impressed by him.
Ruysch embalmed humans with a more artistic approach. Babies are adorned in dresses, and in tiny coffins (Anemone). A philosophical skeleton holds pearls, and asks “Why should I long for the things of this world?”, and Skulls cry into handkerchiefs made of brain tissue (Anemone). One extremely philosophical piece “the syphilitic skull of a prostitute kicked by the leg of a baby is explained by the following text: “the reason why part of the skull is placed under the little foot need not be sough far a field, since this prostitute would not have contracted this frightful disease had she not had such a reprehensible profession…!(Great Soviet Encyclopedia volume 2 pg 586) Ruysch was whimsical when he portrayed “a skeleton of a drunken rat holding a small beer barrel”(Anemone). He was philosophical when he commented on the tragedy of death before life has a chance. Ruysch was a man comfortable dissecting humans and making art from their bodies. He also despised prostitution, and his social commentary showed a religious outook on life. Ruysch was as interesting a man as Peter. The Kunstkamera under Peter’s direction acquired numerous embalmed specimens of unique humans from multiple sources. However not all of the Tsar’s curiosities were kept behind glass.