Leonardo da Vinci
The Mechanics of Man
Long recognised as one of the great artists of the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci was also a pioneer in the understanding of human anatomy. Had his ground-breaking work been published, it would have transformed European knowledge of the subject.
This exhibition displays thirty sheets of Leonardo da Vinci’s anatomical studies, which date from the winter of 1510-11 when he carried out some 20 autopsies at the University of Pavia in collaboration with the professor of anatomy, Marcantonio della Torre, and uses the latest medical technology including CT and MRI scans, computer simulations and 3D film of the body to explore the modern relevance of his anatomical research. This juxtaposition shows how far-sighted Leonardo’s work was, and how close he came to 21st-century medical thinking.
Exhibition highlights
Leonardo da Vinci (Vinci 1452-Amboise 1519)
Recto: The muscles of the shoulder and arm. Verso: The muscles of the shoulder and arm, and the bones of the foot
Leonardo da Vinci (Vinci 1452-Amboise 1519)
Recto: The muscles and tendons of the sole of the foot. Verso: The muscles of the lower leg
Leonardo da Vinci (Vinci 1452-Amboise 1519)
Recto: The foetus in the womb. Verso: Notes on reproduction, with sketches of a foetus in utero, etc.
Leonardo da Vinci (Vinci 1452-Amboise 1519)
Recto: The superficial anatomy of the shoulder and neck. Verso: The muscles of the shoulder
The bones, muscles and tendons of the hand
Leonardo’s skills as an anatomist are displayed to perfection in his investigation of the hand
The muscles of the shoulder
Modern scans of the anatomy are remarkably similar to Leonardo’s depictions of the shoulder
The muscles of the shoulder, arm and neck
Leonardo’s presentation is unparalleled: medical illustration has never produced images to surpass these.
The aortic valve
Leonardo injected molten wax into the left ventricle and aorta of an ox’s heart
Buy the catalogue
Buy the exhibition catalogue
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Almost 500 years after Leonardo da Vinci’s death, technology brings his studies of the human body to life.
Events programme
Map & directions
By car
There is a public car park adjacent to the Palace at Broad Pavement. Please visit the Historic Environment Scotland website for more details.
Accessible parking spaces are located on Horse Wynd, just outside the Palace, on a first-come first-serve basis.
By train
The nearest train station is Edinburgh Waverley. The Queen's Gallery is a 15 minute walk from the station.
Visit National Rail Enquiries for times and fares.
By tram
The nearest tram stop is York Place. The Queen’s Gallery is a 20 minute walk from the stop.
Visit Edinburgh Trams for times and fares.
By coach / bus
Bus numbers 6 and 35 stop near the Gallery. Open-top tour buses stop nearby.
Limited free coach parking is available adjacent to the Palace. Alternative pay-and-display coach parking is available on nearby Regent Road.
By bike
A free-to-use public bicycle rack is located opposite the Scottish Parliament. Cycle hire stations are available nearby on both Holyrood Road and Abbeyhill, within a 5 minute walk of the Palace and The Queen’s Gallery.
Visit Edinburgh Cycle Hire for details.
