Part 2: The Anatomization of Art: Anatomic Realism and the Dissecting Habits of Leonardo and Michelangelo

2021-02-09

Part 2 of the Anatomization of Art considers how differences in the personality of Leonardo and Michelangelo influenced their ability to dissect the corpse. By the end for Leonardo there was more legend than influence from a mind whose genius Goethe (1749-1832) had written "müde sich gedacht" (had thought itself weary). The science historian George Sarton (1884-1956) wrote of Leonardo that [his] “originality was due not only to his inherent genius, to the penetration and comprehensiveness of...

Part 2 of the Anatomization of Art considers how differences in the personality of Leonardo and Michelangelo influenced their ability to dissect the corpse. By the end for Leonardo there was more legend than influence from a mind whose genius Goethe (1749-1832) had written "müde sich gedacht" (had thought itself weary). The science historian George Sarton (1884-1956) wrote of Leonardo that [his] “originality was due not only to his inherent genius, to the penetration and comprehensiveness of his mind but also to his ignorance”.

But in his haze of cosmic misunderstanding, how blissful to be so ignorant!

Of Michelangelo, it might be said that he was more of a man of the people, blessed (or perhaps cursed) with the common frailties and conceits that made him and his work more accessible. According to his biographer Ascanio Condivi (1525-1574) Michelangelo dissected through need. But Leonardo dissected through passion.

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