 Albrecht von Haller was one of the last scholars to embrace all of the knowledge of his time. His famous "Alpengedicht" (Alpine poem) awakened Europe`s passion for the Alps.
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The ExhibitionAlbrecht von Haller – Switzerland`s great man of learning The Bernese Albrecht von Haller (1708–1777) was an anatomist, botanist, poet, physician and magistrate a universal man of learning whose influence has reached down through and into our time. His famous alpine poem inspired a craze for the Alps in Europe; it helped trigger the phenomenon of tourism.
Marking the third centenary of Haller’s birth, the exhibition in the new annex of Bern’s Historical Museum illustrates the life and achievements of this outstanding personality and gives an insight into the age of the Enlightenment.
Alongside numerous documents, it presents some magnificent paintings by the Swiss artist
Caspar Wolf, famous for his dramatic representations of the alpine world. The most precious exhibits include some impressive wax anatomical models based on Haller’s atlas of blood vessels.
Scientific instruments and a reconstructed anatomical theatre bringing Haller’s world back to life in a fascinating way. The exhibition concludes with a view to the present, as modern health care is linked to Haller. It is one of the aims of the exhibition to add to the discussion on how we, as a rational society, can create sound conditions that negotiate between rational research interests, moral responsibility and sceptical attitudes towards science.
The exhibition is a co-production with the Albrecht von Haller Foundation and Burgergemeinde Bern |
| Poet inspires artist: After Haller captured the mountain in poetic form, the artist Caspar Wolf followed with paint brush and canvas. Aquatinta, Historisches Museum Bern |
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| Professor of anatomy, botany and surgery: In 1736, Haller was called to the University of Göttingen. He returned to Bern as an internationally renowned figure. Historisches Museum Bern |
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Researching the human body: Haller's map of blood vessels, his principal anatomical work, is the template for impressive anatomical wax figures. Brugerbibliothek Bern / Josephinum Vienna |
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Observation and experiments: Haller`s experiments on animals provided groundbreaking knowledge on the function of the nervous system. Burgerbibliothek Bern / Museo di Storia Naturale di Firenze |
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