Wellcome Collection

Wellcome Collection is a museum and library based in London, United Kingdom, founded by Henry Wellcome, a renowned pharmacist and entrepreneur. The institution is known for its unique blend of medicine, art, and science, showcasing a vast array of artifacts and exhibits related to the history of medicine, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Andreas Vesalius, and William Harvey. The collection is part of the Wellcome Trust, a global charitable foundation established by Henry Wellcome in 1936, which also supports research in University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London. The Wellcome Collection is situated near Euston Road, close to the British Library and University College London.

History

The Wellcome Collection has its roots in the Henry Wellcome's personal collection, which he started assembling in the late 19th century. Henry Wellcome was a pharmacist and entrepreneur who made his fortune with the company Burroughs Wellcome & Company, which later merged with Glaxo to form GlaxoSmithKline. During his lifetime, Henry Wellcome acquired a vast array of artifacts related to the history of medicine, including medical instruments, anatomical models, and rare books by Galen, Hippocrates, and Ambroise Paré. After Henry Wellcome's death in 1936, his collection was inherited by the Wellcome Trust, which continued to expand and develop the collection, adding works by Marcel Duchamp, Francis Bacon, and Damien Hirst. The Wellcome Collection was officially opened to the public in 2007, with a major refurbishment of the building designed by Hopkins Architects, which also designed the Lord's Cricket Ground and Portcullis House.

Collections

The Wellcome Collection comprises over 75,000 objects, including medical instruments, anatomical models, rare books, and works of art by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and René Magritte. The collection includes significant holdings related to the history of medicine, such as William Harvey's De Motu Cordis, Andreas Vesalius's De Humani Corporis Fabrica, and Leonardo da Vinci's anatomical drawings. The collection also features artworks by Marc Quinn, Anthony Gormley, and Cornelia Parker, as well as medical equipment developed by Alexander Fleming, Howard Florey, and Ernst Boris Chain. The Wellcome Collection also has an extensive library with over 50,000 volumes, including rare books by Charles Darwin, Gregor Mendel, and Louis Pasteur, and journals such as Nature, The Lancet, and British Medical Journal.

Exhibitions

The Wellcome Collection hosts a range of temporary and permanent exhibitions that explore the intersection of medicine, art, and science. Recent exhibitions have included "The Institute of Sexology", which explored the history of sexology through artworks by Egon Schiele, Frida Kahlo, and Pierre Molinier, and "The Medicine Man", which showcased Henry Wellcome's personal collection of medical artifacts. The Wellcome Collection has also hosted exhibitions on "Dirt: The Filthy Reality of Everyday Life", which featured artworks by Duchamp, Warhol, and Koons, and "Death: A Self-Portrait", which included works by Damien Hirst, Francis Bacon, and H.R. Giger. The Wellcome Collection has collaborated with other institutions, such as the Tate Modern, National Gallery, and British Museum, to develop exhibitions and programs that explore the cultural and historical context of medicine and health.

Building and Architecture

The Wellcome Collection is housed in a Grade II listed building designed by Francis Cranmer Penrose and John Belcher in 1837. The building was originally the Wellcome's company headquarters and was later converted into a museum and library. The Wellcome Collection underwent a major refurbishment in 2007, designed by Hopkins Architects, which added a new entrance and exhibition spaces. The building features a unique blend of Victorian and modern architecture, with a glass and steel extension that provides a striking contrast to the original brick and stone facade. The Wellcome Collection is situated near other notable London landmarks, such as the British Library, University College London, and Regent's Park.

Public Engagement

The Wellcome Collection offers a range of public programs and events that aim to engage audiences with the collections and exhibitions. The institution hosts lectures, workshops, and tours led by curators, artists, and experts in the field of medicine, art, and science. The Wellcome Collection also offers family-friendly activities and events, such as "Wellcome Lates", which feature live music, performance art, and interactive installations. The Wellcome Collection has collaborated with other organizations, such as the BBC, Channel 4, and The Guardian, to develop public programs and events that explore the cultural and social context of health and medicine. The Wellcome Collection is part of the London Museums Group and works with other museums and galleries in London, such as the Science Museum, Natural History Museum, and Tate Britain, to promote public engagement with science, art, and culture.