The anatomical model made by French medical student Louis Auzoux, which has been on display at Wimpole Street for many years, is going on loan to the Musée Bourdelle, Paris. The model will be part of an exhibition entitled Mannequins: From the artist's studio to fetish object which runs until 12 July 2015.

In 1820, Louis Auzoux began experimenting with techniques used by Parisian doll and puppet makers to make flexible models. These were developed because it was difficult for the early medical and dental students to study anatomy. The only practical way to see inside the human body was to watch an operation or a dissection. Cadavers were difficult to get and quickly decayed through lack of refrigeration.

Auzoux developed an improved secret papier-mâché mixture containing cork, clay, paper and glue, which allowed the models to harden into a solid, supple, light and durable object. In 1827, he founded a factory to produce models in his hometown, St Aubin d'Ecrosville, in Normandy. Sales of Auzoux's models increased rapidly and his range of products grew to over 600, including zoological and botanical specimens.

The model sent by the BDA to feature in the exhibition (pictured) is of a male figure, just under 5 ft tall and consists of over 25 dissectible parts. Comparison can be easily made between the sub-dermal structures and the bones of the skull showing some muscle insertions. The detailed model includes over 2,000 original anatomical name labels in French and the numbers refer to a full description in an accompanying catalogue that, unfortunately, has not survived.

For more information about the exhibition visit http://www.bourdelle.paris.fr/en.