Leonardo Da Vinci’s most famous illustration is the Vitruvian Man. The figure illustrates the Golden proportion (1:1.618), also known as the ‘Divine proportion’. The Vitruvian Man's drawing is based on the correlations of ideal human proportions. It is accompanied by notes based on the work of the famous first century Roman architect, Vitruvius. He was also the author of ‘De Architectura Libra X’; Vitruvius described the human figure, which was divinely created, as being the principal source of proportion. Leonardo’s drawing is traditionally named in honor of the architect. It is a pen ink drawing of a male figure whose outstretched limbs touch the circumference of the circle and the edges of a square. His naval falls in the exact center of the circle. The figure is surrounded by hand written text. Leonardo’s presentation looks dynamic. The male figure adopts two different positions within the same image. He is within the circle and the square, simultaneously. The figure’s active arms and legs suggest movement and liveliness. If the distance from the top of the head to the naval is 1, then the naval distance from the naval to the bottom of the foot is 1.618. Also if the distance from the right shoulder to the tip of left finger is1, then the total height of the human body (head to toe) is 1.618.
Modern scientists believe that divinely proportioned individuals, both males and females, appear not only attractive but tend to be strong and physiologically healthy.
