Leonardo's depiction of the Human Fetus

Description: 

A sketch of a human fetus inside of a human uterus drawn by Leonardo Da Vinci. The Uterus is  cut open through the middle, showing the fetus inside in a "fetal position." The drawing is composed of red and black chalk as well as ink. A fallopian tube is shown to the viewers left side of the large uterus. The drawing has a cow placenta because Da Vinci did not know about the human placenta, but had dissected cow placenta previous to the drawing.

Works Cited

"Recto: Fetus in the Womb. Verso: Notes on reproduction, with sketches of fetus in utero, etc." Royal Collection Trusts, Retreived from https://www.rct.uk/collection/919102/recto-the-fetus-in-the-womb-verso-n....

Associated Place(s)

Artist: 

  • Leonardo da Vinci

Image Date: 

circa. 16th century