LE PATRIMOINE SCIENTIFIQUE DES INVISIBLES. RECONSIDÉRER LES PETITES–MAINS AU SERVICE DE L’ANATOMIE COMPARÉE AU MUSÉUM DE PARIS
THE SCIENTIFIC PATRIMONY OF THE INVISIBLES: A RECONSIDERATION OF THE LITTLE HANDS IN THE SERVICE OF COMPARATIVE ANATOMY AT THE MUSÉUM DE PARIS

Summary/Abstract: Within the Muséum national d’histoire naturelle of Paris, the assistant naturalists of the 19th century formed a particular class. These employees produced a large part of the institution’s collections, actively contributed to the work of the professors, and sometimes even participated in their renown. Nevertheless, these assistants were engulfed in the shadows of the scientists, to such an extent that many of them have completely disappeared from the memory of the Museum. In some cases, especially for life casts, their work is even attributed to the great personalities, often to professors. Assistant naturalists appear to be under–studied; yet the examination of these employees through their material productions would allow a better understanding of the Museum’s history and the development of its departments.

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