Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci

c. 1487

Pen and ink on paper

34.4 v 25.5 (13.5 x 10.0)

Leonardo believed the working of the human body is the working of the universe.

The man - Vitruvian, a ancient Roman architect, believed the proportion of human body can influenced his architectural practice and ideas of building.

    

The man described the human figure as the principle source of proportion. The man is simultaneously within the circle and the square, navel falls in the exact center of the circle, show the movement of his arms and legs, unruly hair, distant facial features. 

Leonardo was more concerned with the architectural meaning of the painting. He is represent the body as a building. He noted that human body can be symmetrically inscribed within both a circle and a square. This idea influenced his architectural practice.

This painting was bring together with ideas about art, architecture, human anatomy and symmetry in one distinct and commanding image. 

In my opinion, Leonardo use the circle and square to build up this painting is MAYBE because the circle is representing the world, the earth, the realm of spirit, the initial shape of our house (when embryo in his/her mom's body). the square is representing the natural ways that human relates to the physical world. That's why there are four directions, four seasons. Table is form by our sides, chair have four legs many thing was also form by square and circle even though a human proportion. 

post by Yap Chian Wen 1105502