Leonardo da Vinci: In search of the seat of the soul – Reflections on the anatomical and neuroanatomical explorations of a great master

Background

The Renaissance was an era in which art, science, and philosophy converged in the pursuit of truth about human nature. Leonardo da Vinci combined the talent of an artist with the intellectual curiosity of a scholar and moved beyond the limitations of the epoch, producing anatomical studies that were exceptional and innovative. His observations—unpublished and therefore inaccessible to a wider audience for centuries—were remarkably ahead of their time, both in methodological approach and anatomical accuracy.

Aim

This paper offers reflections on selected anatomical and neuroanatomical concepts developed by Leonardo, placing them within the broader intellectual context of his epoch. The analysis aims primarily to reflect the intellectual climate that emerged with the rise of the Renaissance.

Conclusions

Leonardo da Vinci's methodological approach was groundbreaking and unprecedented for his time. It can be assumed that, had his anatomical works been published during his lifetime, they would have significantly influenced contemporary understanding of human anatomy and physiology. His research methods, including dissection techniques, were revolutionary and surpassed the limitations of the knowledge and technology of his era.