04.15.2017 - 04.13.2018
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Whether it is a form of defence or of power, a targeted or diffuse mortal arm, an environmental threat or a hope for the medicine of tomorrow, poisons have always stimulated fear and fascination.
The Latin word “venenum” refers to poisons developed by humans as well as to the poisonous substances derived from plants, mushrooms and snake venom.
Poison conjures up a double ambiguity: it is both a substance present originally in the natural environment but also a mixture prepared for criminal purposes, which, depending on the dose, can take a life or save one.
The exhibition describes the roles played by poison in history and culture, science and belief, medicine and criminology.
Works of art, historical and ethnographic collections mix and dialogue with the natural-science collections to illustrate the uses of poison during the course of history.
Let’s look back in history, marked by the poisoners and the poisoned
Whether they are bacteria, micro-algae, mushrooms, plants or animals, there are many species that produce poisons
For war, for eliminating pests and also for improving our daily lives – discover the different uses of poisons
Venoms, toxic plants and minerals – discover how toxins can be pharmaceutical allies.