We find it printed on all kinds of objects: t-shirts, notebooks, breakfast cups ... Vitruvian Man is an enigmatic figure, we are amazed by its perfect proportions and the fact that it is the work of a genius, Leonardo da Vinci . Although it is true that on previous occasions we have approached Who was Leonardo da Vinci and we have even delved into the most relevant Works by Leonardo da Vinci , today we want to focus our attention on the Vitruvian Man. Join us in Supercurious to know a little more about that figure so popular in modern culture!
The Vitruvian Man | Meaning, history and curiosities
1. Meaning of Vitruvian Man
Is called Vitruvian man because, to draw it, Leonardo was based on the proportions described by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio , Roman architect of the 1st century BC Da Vinci modified them, expanded them and most importantly added the drawing, since Vitruvio did not leave any illustration. The text with which Da Vinci accompanied his Vitruvian Man is described with specular writing.
This type of writing, which the teacher used frequently, is perfectly legible if reflected in a mirror. If you want to know why Leonardo wrote like this, we invite you to read the article: Why did Leonardo da Vinci write backwards? The text where Leonardo explains his version of the Vitruvian Man we also know him with the name of "Canon of human proportions."
2. History of Vitruvian Man
This sketch was drawn by Leonardo in the year 1490 in one of his diaries , with measures of 34x26cm. It is an ink and pencil drawing and represents a naked man overprinted in a circle and a square, the positions of his arms and legs being different. It is considered that it symbolizes both the symmetry of the human body and, from this, that of the whole universe . Thus, with the Vitruvian Man, Leonardo solves the squaring of the circle.
If you notice, the man with his legs together rests on a square and the one with his legs spread out in a circle. After the relevant mathematical operations, it turns out that both have the same surface . If you combine the positions of arms and legs, you get 16 different figures. If you draw a line where the genitals begin, you have two exact halves.
The diary in which Leonardo drew Vitruvian Man it is kept in the museum of the Accademia Gallery in Venice , although it is only exhibited on rare occasions. It is possible to see it only once every ten years. The conservators of the museum consider that, due to its state, it is better to preserve it kept.
3. More curiosities about the Vitruvian Man
one. One of the most curious proportions is that the distance from where the hair is born to the eyebrows gives the same measure as that of the chin at the beginning of the nose and both are equal to ... one ear! Also, if you measure from the tip of the fingers to the middle of the chest, the result is equal to the measurement of an entire leg.
2. On the other hand, if you measure from the center line of the genitals to the lower part of the knee you will have a quarter of the total height of the figure . The measurement from the elbow to the hollow of the armpit supposes an eighth part and a complete hand supposes the tenth part of which measures the Man of Vitruvius.
3. And we continue to show that the accuracy of the proportions is impressive: the foot, for example, measures a seventh part, as well as the distance between the birth of the hair and the upper part of the chest. If you want to know more about the measurements we leave you a link where you have all the proportions They will amaze you!
Where did the inspiration come from to draw the Vitruvian Man?
The drawing that could have aroused Leonardo's interest in achieving a human body of perfect symmetry, following essentially the indications of the Roman architect Vitruvius, was that of his friend Giacomo Andrea de Ferrara . This young architect, whom Leonardo Da Vinci considered almost as a brother, had tried to draw a man following the Vitruvian proportions, but he had not succeeded.
Historians believe that the failed attempt of Giacomo Andrea possibly spurred Leonardo to try. The drawing of Vitruvian Man by Giacomo Andrea de Ferrara it had been known for centuries, but it was thought to be later than Da Vinci's . Recently, a careful study of the annotations allowed to conclude that it was earlier.
We give you free another curiosity : Anyway, it is not known who was that man, it is suspected that the model could be a corpse or, perhaps, Leonardo da Vinci himself ... What do you think?
Tell us, did you like to know more about the Vitruvian Man? Did you know any of the curiosities or do you want to share some interesting information with us? What other aspects of the life of Leonardo da Vinci would interest you to know? We will wait for your answers with much interest! ð ??????