Discover our collections, featuring everything from artworks by Sir Joshua Reynolds, Sir Thomas Lawrence and Dame Elisabeth Frink, to scarce anatomical preparations and extraordinary medical instruments, all housed in a grade 1 listed ‘modernist masterpiece’ designed by acclaimed architect Sir Denys Lasdun. 

At November's Museum Late, hear from Under the skin curator and rare books librarian, Katie Birkwood, who will give an introduction to the exhibition and highlights to discover at 6pm. 

New for this month, visit the library reading room to investigate anatomy in more detail with a drop-in anatomical flapbook workshop. See examples of medical illustration from the 16th century to the present day up close, turn their pages of the historical books, and delve deep inside the human body.

Try your hand at making an anatomical flap book based on 450-year-old medical illustration. Break out the scissors, paper and glue to assemble a 3D lift-the-flaps model of human anatomy to keep, following the instructions laid out by Andreas Vesalius in his 1543 masterwork, De humani corporis fabrica. Suitable for ages 12+.

Thursday 7 November programme: 

6pm: Curator introduction to 'Under the skin' exhibition, 1st floor

5.30-8pm: Anatomical flap book drop-in workshop, 2nd floor reading room

5.30-8pm: Museum and exhibition open (all floors) 

Other RCP Museum highlights include:

• priceless portraits and silver displayed throughout the building
• medical rarities such as the Symons collection of self-care instruments and medical apparatus, the Hoffbrand collection of apothecary jars and the Prujean chest of surgical tools from the era of the English Civil War
• a remarkable set of 17th-century human remains, providing a fascinating insight into dissection and discovery in anatomy
• regular displays from our archive and rare books collections
• a changing programme of acclaimed temporary exhibitions 

Forthcoming Museum Lates: 

• Thursday 5 December 2019

• Thursday 10 January 2020 (one week later than usual)