Drawing History: What is the "Vitruvian Man"? 🕵️‍♂️

= As a master of the arts, sciences, and everything in between, Leonardo da Vinci is often referred to as a “Renaissance man.” The [Vitruvian Man](), a late 15th-century drawing, is a prime example of his encyclopedic knowledge and eclectic interests. [Vitruvian Man Drawing]()Leonardo da Vinci, "Vitruvian Man," c. 1492 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain) Leonardo drew the Vitruvian Man, known also as “The proportions of the human body according to Vitruvius,” in 1492. Intended to explore the idea of proportion, the piece is part art and part mathematical diagram, conveying the [Old Master]('s belief that “everything connects to everything else.” [Vitruvian Man]()Leonardo da Vinci, "Vitruvian Man," c. 1492 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain) Da Vinci rendered an idealized naked man standing within a square and a circle using pen, ink, and metalpoint on paper. Ingeniously, Leonardo chose to depict the man with four legs and four arms, allowing him to strike 16 poses simultaneously. The Vitruvian Man is based on De Architectura, a building guide written by Roman architect and engineer Vitruvius between 30 and 15 BC. While it is focused on architecture, the treatise also explores the human body—namely, the geometry of “perfect” proportions—which appealed to Leonardo's interest in anatomy and inspired his drawing. A 1521 Italian language edition of "De Architectura" by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5) Two blocks of backwards-written text accompany the drawing. In the first, Leonardo notes that, according to Vitruvius, these are the measurements of the ideal body: - four fingers equal one palm - four palms equal one foot - six palms make one cubit - four cubits equal a man's height - four cubits equal one pace - 24 palms equal one man [Read About the "Vitruvian Man"]() ​ [Divider] ​ ​ [Drawing Quotes](​ "Everything starts from a dot." —[Wassily Kandinsky]( (1866–1944) = ​ [Divider] ​ ​ ​ A cute pencil pouch is a perfect way to make sure that you'll always have your favorite supplies handy. We've put together a list of 17 pencil pouches that are ideal for carrying your collection of drawing supplies. ​[17 Cute Pencil Pouches To Store Your Drawing Supplies]()​ [Pencil Pouches]()​ [Shop Pencil Pouches]() ​ [Divider] ​ ​ [Draw With Us Banners](=)​ Some of the best subjects for drawing can be found lying around your home. Books, for example, can be a great object to render as a drawing. This tutorial breaks down how to draw a book and a stack of books. ​[Learn How to Draw a Book and a Stack of Books Step by Step](=)​ [Stack of Books](=)​ [Learn How to Draw Books](=) ​ Margherita Cole Staff Writer and Illustrator = Unsubscribe from the Drawing Club by [clicking here](). Want to share this email with a friend? [Here's a signup link.]( [Unsubscribe]( | 121 Evergreen Way, Lake Forest, CA 92630