Skip to main content

Primary sourcePaintingc. 1490

Vitruvian Man

Leonardo da Vinci · c. 1490

A famous drawing by Leonardo da Vinci showing a nude man in two overlapping poses inside a circle and a square, based on ideas from the Roman writer Vitruvius.

A key drawing showing Leonardo's fusion of art, mathematics and classical learning.

Ask Leonardo da Vinci about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Pen and ink drawing of a nude male figure shown in two superimposed positions, arms outstretched within a circle and a square. Handwritten mirror-script notes in brown ink fill the margins above and below. The paper is aged yellowish-brown.
Leonardo da Vinci, Vitruvian Man, c. 1490. Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice.

About this source

What it is

The Vitruvian Man is a pen-and-ink drawing made by Leonardo da Vinci around 1490 in Milan. It shows a man standing with arms and legs in two different positions, inscribed within a circle and a square, illustrating ideas about human proportion from the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius. It is now held at the Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice.

Why it matters

The drawing shows how Leonardo combined careful observation, geometry and classical learning in a single image. Notes in his own mirror writing surround the figure, showing his working method of linking art and science.

Look closer

  • Why did Leonardo draw the figure in two overlapping poses instead of one?
  • What do the precise compass marks and measurements tell you about how carefully this was made?
  • Why might a drawing about proportion have become such a famous image?

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.

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