Recto: The superficial anatomy of the shoulder and neck

Institution

Royal Collection Trust

Object description:

This sheet displays the full range of Leonardo’s illustrative techniques, showing the structure of the muscles of the shoulder. Pectoralis major is divided into parts to represent the lines of force along which it acts. This method reaches its logical conclusion in the drawing at top right, which is an example of Leonardo’s ‘thread model’. This technique - invented by Leonardo - reduced the muscles to single cords along their central lines of force, such that the spatial structure of an entire system can be perceived at once. RL 19003v. Text adapted from Holbein to Hockney: Drawings from the Royal Collection.

Object/Work type:

drawings (visual works)
watercolors (paintings)

Cultural Heritage type:

Visual Works (hierarchy name)

Location:

London - United Kingdom

Object measurements:

29.2 x 19.8 cm (sheet of paper)

Production

Leonardo da Vinci (Vinci 1452-Amboise 1519) (artist)

Date: c.1510-11

Place: Italy; Milan

Material/Technique: Pen and ink with wash, over black chalk

Provenance

Charles II, King of Great Britain (1630-85) (Acquirer)

Material/Technique: [None]

Subject/theme:

Arms (weapons)

Resource

Rights Type:  

Record

Source: Royal Collection Trust