The Vitruvian Man, and the Geometry of Life According to Leonardo da Vinci

This study aims to understand the construction by Leonardo da Vinci of the Vitruvian Man, which represents the graphic resolution of an ancient challenge set by the Roman architect Marcus Vitruvius Pollio in his treatise De Architectura. It seeks to explain the genesis of this work, its progressive elaboration, and the way in which Leonardo succeeded in addressing a problem that had remained unanswered for centuries. The analysis also highlights the seminal role of mathematics, which since the earliest civilizations has been regarded as a universal language of knowledge and perfection. Long considered to unlock the secrets of the universe, its use in this emblematic drawing reveals Leonardo’s scientific spirit, driven by the pursuit of universal harmony.