Definition: The Vitruvian Man is a drawing by Leonardo da Vinci, in which the artist uses some ideas of the Roman architect Vitruvius. Since ancient times the notion of sacred geometry has led artists to spend a great deal of effort on matching the physical world to a mathematical ideal - not always successfully. Leonardo has created an iconic work of art in this interpretation of the proportions of the human body laid out in the Vitruvian books on Architecture.
Leonardo's drawing itself has been an enduring source of fascination for artists, and re-interpretations of the image appear constantly in graphic design.
Also Known As: Canon of Proportions, Proportions of Man
