Skip to main content

Primary sourceArtifactc. 1511

Studies of the Fetus in the Womb

Leonardo da Vinci · c. 1511

Two coloured anatomical drawings by Leonardo da Vinci showing a human fetus inside a dissected uterus.

An original anatomical drawing made by Leonardo himself, showing his scientific study of the human body.

Ask Leonardo da Vinci about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Pen and ink drawing with red chalk on aged paper by Leonardo da Vinci. The central image shows a curled fetus inside an open uterus, with smaller studies of uterine structures, placenta-like forms, and a circular diagram. Handwritten mirror-script notes surround the drawings.
Leonardo da Vinci, Studies of the Fetus in the Womb, c. 1511. Royal Collection, United Kingdom.

About this source

What it is

These are two coloured, annotated sketches made by Leonardo da Vinci around 1511, showing a fetus inside a dissected uterus. They are now kept in the Royal Collection in the United Kingdom.

Why it matters

Leonardo studied human embryology with help from an anatomist and based these drawings on direct observation of a cadaver. He correctly showed the uterus as a single chamber and drew the uterine blood vessels accurately, though he mixed in details from a cow's uterus and had wrong ideas about the umbilical cord. The drawings show how closely Leonardo combined art and science.

Look closer

  • What details suggest Leonardo observed a real body rather than just imagining the scene?
  • What mistakes did Leonardo make, and what do they tell us about the limits of science at the time?
  • Why might an artist be interested in studying anatomy this closely?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Leonardo da Vinci on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Leonardo da Vinci sources

Meet the AI Leonardo da Vinci →
Painting of a woman with long dark hair and a subtle smile, seated with her hands folded on an armrest, in front of a hazy landscape with winding paths, a river, and mountains.Painting

Primary source

Mona Lisa

Leonardo da Vinci · c. 1503-1519

Black and white line engraving of a bearded man in a dark brimmed cap and dark cloak, turned three-quarters to the left. Below the image is the printed title LEONARDO DA VINCI, with small inscriptions in the margins.Painting

Secondary source

Leonardo da Vinci portrait line engraving by Raphael Morghen

R. Morghen

Scan of a page from a Leonardo da Vinci manuscript notebook: mirror-writing handwritten notes in brown ink, a geometric diagram of a triangle and rectangle at top, and a sketch of a catapult or siege engine with a flame at lower right.Book

Primary source

Manuscript Notebook MS B

Leonardo da Vinci

Mural painting of the Last Supper showing Jesus seated at the center of a long table with twelve disciples in groups of three on either side, with bread and dishes on the table. Coffered ceiling and windows visible in the room.Painting

Primary source

The Last Supper

Leonardo da Vinci · c. 1495-1498

Lantern slide of a Leonardo da Vinci architectural study sheet. Labels read 'VINCI (Leonardo da) (1452-1519)', 'Etude d'architecture', 'Dessin', and 'B 5989'. The drawing shows a domed church sketch, a semicircular plan, a rectangular church floor plan with columns, workers hauling a block with a cart, and a seated figure.Painting

Primary source

Architectural Studies

Leonardo da Vinci · c. 1500

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Leonardo da Vinci now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions