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at the Royal College of Surgeons England

Free entry - booking recommended

Tuesday to Saturday: 10am – 5pm

ISO Design for the Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons of England

Discover the art and science of surgery from ancient times to the present day.

Including the extraordinary specimen collection of the 18th century surgeon anatomist John Hunter.

Free entry - booking recommended

Tuesday to Saturday: 10am – 5pm

What's On

  • Insight: Portraits of Women in Surgery

    An exhibition shining a spotlight on women in surgery working across the UK today, offering an intimate and contemporary look at surgical life.

    Exhibition

    6th February–18th April 2026

  • Sense: The Anatomy of Creativity

    An evening of conversation and creative exploration. Can creative ability be 'seen' in scans and what part does anatomy play in the creative process?

    Event

    5th March 2026
    18:30–20:00

    Book now
  • Hunterian Drawing Club

    A regular meet-up exploring art and anatomy with the extraordinary Hunterian collection for inspiration

    Event

    17th March 2026
    11:00–16:00

    Book now

Collections

Circular gold frame containing a coiled, metallic structure arranged in a spiral
Discover the collections held at the Royal College of Surgeons of England
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John Hunter

Oil painting of a man (John Hunter) in young-middle age: his hair is powdered but he isn't wearing a wig. He wears a collarless grey coat over a waistcoat in the same fabric, with a white stock at his neck. The coat is decorated with large grey buttons down the opening and around the edge of the cuff. The subject's right arm is crossed in front of him, and his right index finger points to a monkey skull held in his left hand. The scene is lit strongly from the upper left, leaving the left side of the subject in dark shadow, silhouetted against a light archway behind.
Learn about John Hunter, the 18th century surgeon anatomist whose collection is at the heart of the Hunterian Museum
Explore