Leonardo and the anatomy

Leonardo studied the human body all throughout his life, by means of direct observation and by practicing dissection. His investigations arose from the need to know the human body for the purpose of pictorial representation, but additionally for the desire to carry out a genuine anatomical study. Leonardo was also interested in what is now called comparative anatomy, which involves comparing the forms and functions of various human and animal organs.

Leonardo carried out his anatomical work as an artist, with the intention of making it available through drawing. His admirable illustrations, precise and accurate, allowed him to effectively visualize what words could describe only with great difficulty. Drawing developed into an instrument of knowledge, with such an importance that the artist elaborated different modes of visualization, such as the exploded view of the body and the use of different points of view.

Created by artists from the Brera Academy, the refined sculptures in ceroplastics from the Museum’s anatomy section faithfully reproduce Leonardo’s anatomical drawings.