Human Dissection and the Science and Art of Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo was born in a small Tuscan hill town, where he lived until his father arranged for him to study in Florence at Compagnia di San Luca, a painter's guild at the hospital of Santa Maria Nuova (Figure 1), which included physicians and apothecaries.1 The scientific achievements of Leonardo da Vinci, genius of the Renaissance (Figure 2), were virtually unknown during his lifetime and remained unknown for more than 2 centuries after his death.2,3 Between 1489 and 1513 in the crypt of Santa Maria Nuova, Leonardo dissected more than 30 bodies of both genders and all ages. In late 13th-century and early 14th-century Europe, dissection of the bodies of executed criminals was legalized, and in the 16th century, physicians and surgeons in England were given limited rights to dissect cadavers.7 The Murder Act of 1752 added terror and infamy to punishment by authorizing dissection of the bodies of criminals.8 The Company of Barber-Surgeons and the Royal College of Physicians were authorized to perform dissections.8 The iconic red and white striped pole symbolizing blood and bandages is the last vestige of the Barber-Surgeons. In late 13th-century and early 14th-century Europe, dissection of the bodies of executed criminals was legalized, and in the 16th century, physicians and surgeons in England were given limited rights to dissect cadavers.7 The Murder Act of 1752 added terror and infamy to punishment by authorizing dissection of the bodies of criminals.8 In the 18th century, the Company of Barber-Surgeons and the Royal College of Physicians were authorized to perform dissections.8 The iconic red and white striped pole that symbolized blood and bandages is the last vestige of the Barber-Surgeons.