Unique Exhibition at London’s Linnean Society Features Historical Specimens, Including Sketch of Three Testicles
A new exhibition titled “Wonder” opened today at the Linnean Society in central London, showcasing a collection of unusual historical specimens, including a handwritten notebook containing a sketch of three testicles.
Inspired by 17th and 18th-century European cabinets of curiosity, or *Wunderkammern*, the exhibition features themed displays drawn from the Society’s collection. Exhibits include animal skins, a pipe carved from an albatross bone, preserved spiders, and a dinner bill from the King’s Arms in Kew dating back to a visit by Carl Linnaeus. The exhibition aims to present science in an engaging and accessible way, and offers a glimpse into the historical methods of scientific observation and collection.
Curators have playfully labeled the exhibits, encouraging visitors to explore the oddities on display. One particularly intriguing item requires a closer look – visitors are advised to use their phone cameras to zoom in on a notebook page to view the anatomical sketch. The Linnean Society, founded in 1788, is a leading learned society in biology; you can learn more about its history on their official website. Such displays of historical anatomical drawings offer insight into the evolution of scientific understanding.
“Wonder” is open to the public, free of charge, Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will run until March 2026. The Society encourages visitors to explore the exhibition and discover the fascinating, and sometimes unusual, treasures within its collection.
