Người Vitruvius
The Vitruvian Man, or simply "Người Vitruvius," is a globally recognized drawing created by the renowned Italian artist, Leonardo da Vinci, around the year 1490. The drawing, which is in pen and ink on paper, depicts a man in two superimposed positions with his arms and legs apart and simultaneously inscribed in a circle and square. The drawing and text are sometimes called the Canon of Proportions or, less often, Proportions of Man. This masterpiece is often used as a symbol of symmetry and the human body's natural proportion. The drawing's name is derived from the architect Vitruvius, as the sketch is accompanied by notes from Leonardo's interpretation of Vitruvius's work.
<h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin: 12px 0;">The Historical Context of Người Vitruvius</h2>
The Vitruvian Man is based on the correlations of ideal human proportions with geometry described by the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius in Book III of his treatise De Architectura. Vitruvius described the human figure as being the principal source of proportion among the classical orders of architecture. Leonardo's drawing is traditionally named in honor of the architect.
<h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin: 12px 0;">The Symbolism of the Vitruvian Man</h2>
The Vitruvian Man is viewed as a symbol of the essential symmetry of the human body, and by extension, the universe as a whole. It can be seen as a testament to Leonardo's interest in proportion and his attempts to relate man to nature. Encyclopaedia Britannica online states, "Leonardo envisaged the great picture chart of the human body he had produced through his anatomical drawings and Vitruvian Man as a cosmografia del minor mondo (cosmography of the microcosm)."
<h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin: 12px 0;">The Influence of Người Vitruvius</h2>
The Vitruvian Man is one of the most famous drawings in the world, despite the fact that relatively few people have seen the original. It has been reproduced countless times, often in connection to health and fitness, medical advertisements, and logo designs. The drawing's influence extends beyond the art world, impacting various fields such as architecture, philosophy, and even medical studies.
<h2 style="font-weight: bold; margin: 12px 0;">The Current Status of the Vitruvian Man</h2>
Today, the Vitruvian Man is kept under lock and key in the Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice, Italy. It is only displayed on special occasions due to its fragility and the potential for it to fade under too much light. Despite its limited public appearances, the Vitruvian Man continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide with its profound simplicity and universal symbolism.
In conclusion, the Vitruvian Man, or Người Vitruvius, is more than just a drawing. It is a symbol of the human body's natural proportion and symmetry, a testament to Leonardo's genius, and a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and captivate. Its influence extends beyond the art world, impacting various fields such as architecture, philosophy, and even medical studies. Despite its limited public appearances, the Vitruvian Man continues to be a source of fascination and inspiration, a testament to the enduring power of Leonardo da Vinci's genius.