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Primary sourcePainting1489

The Skull Sectioned

Leonardo da Vinci · 1489

A detailed anatomical drawing by Leonardo showing cross-sections of a human skull, part of his search for the seat of the soul.

Shows Leonardo's anatomical investigations and his search for the physical seat of the soul.

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Pen and ink drawing on paper, framed under glass, of two skull sections in side profile. The upper skull is shown with the top of the cranium removed, revealing the interior. The lower skull is drawn in full profile with a spinal column below, with faint construction lines and mirrored handwritten notes in brown ink on the left.
Leonardo da Vinci, The Skull Sectioned, 1489.

About this source

What it is

This is a pen and ink drawing made by Leonardo da Vinci around 1489, showing two views of a sectioned human skull with handwritten notes beside them.

Why it matters

The drawing shows Leonardo's pioneering method of cutting through anatomy on paper to reveal hidden structures, something few artists or scientists attempted at the time. It reflects his curiosity about where in the body the soul or senses might reside, blending art, science, and philosophy.

Look closer

  • Why would Leonardo draw the skull from two different angles?
  • What might the construction lines and faint notes tell us about his working process?
  • Why is the handwriting on the page mirrored, and what does that suggest about Leonardo himself?

This painting 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.

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