Featuring three thousand objects and covering an area equivalent to 1,500 hospital beds, Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries is the magnificent new home for the most significant medical collections in the world.
Showcasing extraordinary medical artefacts from the collections of Henry Wellcome and the Science Museum Group, including the world’s first MRI scanner, Fleming’s penicillin mould, a professional pianist’s prosthetic arm and even robotic surgery equipment, the galleries explore our relationship with medicine and health through more than 500 years of history.
Throughout the galleries you’ll find specially commissioned artworks, including 'Self-Conscious Gene', by Marc Quinn, a bronze sculpture by Eleanor Crook, a series of portraits by award-winning photographer Siân Davey and an installation by Studio Roso, as well as interactive displays, films and audio recordings.
A ceramic artwork by celebrated artist Grayson Perry, ‘Alan Measles – God in the time of Covid-19’, is now part of the COVID-19 display in the gallery. This artwork along with the COVID-19 testing kits and signage from the Government’s daily briefings present a reminder of our huge national effort to save lives and protect the NHS.
Explore the galleries
With five vast and visually stunning galleries containing more than 3,000 medical artefacts, striking artworks, interactive games and immersive experiences, Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries brings the history of medicine to life.
Take a closer look at what's on display in Collection Online
Designed by WilkinsonEyre Architects, the five galleries cover more than 3000m². Watch the team from WilkinsonEyre Architects discuss their approach to the project.