New Exhibit Features Medical Illustration at Duke

Illustration of Eye by Robert Blake

We are excited to announce that our new exhibit, “An Eye for the Eye: Medical Illustration at Duke, 1932-2005” is now on display at the Medical Center Library. Documenting over 70 years of medical illustration at Duke, the exhibit includes original artwork (such as the drawing to the right by Robert Blake), photographs, brochures, medical textbooks, and even a prosthetic nose and pair of ears.

Duke was one of the first educational institutions to provide medical illustration services. Established in 1935, the Division of Medical Art and Illustration produced charts, graphics, and photographs for Duke University and Duke University Medical Center publications. In addition to creating artwork, the unit also was instrumental in the Medical Center's efforts to advance plastic surgery. Elon Clark, the division's first director, led a research program that worked on improving cosmetic prostheses, and facial restorations in particular.

Discover who created Duke blue, just what corneal tattooing is (and how the division was involved), and learn about the rich history of medical illustration at Duke by visiting the exhibit. "An Eye for the Eye" can be seen on Level 1 of the Library through the end of February 2014. To find out more about these materials, view the Educational Media Services finding aid on our website or check out some of our photographs and artwork related to medical illustration on MEDSpace.