Anatomical papier-mâché model of a gorilla

This month we have completed the conservation of a paper-mache gorilla made by Dr Auzoux from 1865. On Sunday the 27th of September 2015 there will be a public meeting in Boerhaave Museum (Leiden). The conservators Eliza Jacobi and Auke Gerrits will talk about the conservation of the Gorilla and DNA researchers will talk about the real bones in the Gorilla.

The importance of this unique model – also known as “the Rembrandt of Auzoux” – can hardly be overestimated. The conservators of Boerhaave Museum tell about the discovery and restoration all parts. Researcher Barbara Gravendeel of Naturalis tells about museomics and gorilla DNA. Floyd Witting from the University of Applied Sciences gives an insight into how students work on the DNA analysis of the gorilla.

During and after the meeting, the visitor can see live restoration of the Auzoux model by Eliza Jacobi and Elizabet Nijhoff Asser. They explain how the model has been cleaned and restored.