Leonardo da Vinci: Anatomist 

​​The high resolution images uploaded into the LGfL Gallery are supplied by The Royal Collection and are examples from the Leonardo da Vinci: Anatomist exhibition currently showing at The Queen's Gallery - Buckingham Palace.

The exhibition is the largest ever of Leonardo da Vinci’s studies of the human body.  Leonardo has long been recognised as one of the great artists of the Renaissance, but he was also a pioneer in the understanding of human anatomy. 

He intended to publish his ground-breaking work in a treatise on anatomy, and had he done so his discoveries would have transformed European knowledge of the subject.  But on Leonardo’s death in 1519 the drawings remained a mass of undigested material among his private papers and their significance was effectively lost to the world for almost 400 years.  Today they are among the Royal Collection’s greatest treasures.​

Exhibition microsite featuring zoomable images of all the drawings in the exhibition

An iPad app is available which includes interactive 3D anatomical models, pinch-zoom functionality and interviews with experts on Leonardo’s work and the history of medicine.

Schools’ Programme:
Find out how great works of art can inspire learning with the curriculum linked programmes and resources for primary and secondary schools.
Follow the links below for further details on all schools sessions surrounding the Leonardo da Vinci Anatomist  exhibition:  

Closer to Leonardo
Students explore the exhibition with a selection of objects, designed to stimulate discussion and raise questions about how Leonardo's study of anatomy relates to his career and ideas.
Key stage 2 and 3

Introduction to Leonardo: Skulls
This session focuses on Leonardo's initial studies of the human skull and considers what impact these studies had on his own paintings.
Key Stage 3-5
 
Introduction to Leonardo: Sketchbook skills and materials
This workshop enables students to develop their sketchbook skills by analysing the methods Leonardo da Vinci used to record his studies and annotate his drawings.
Key Stage 3-5

Joint Royal Collection and Wellcome Collection Study Day: Anatomy
This joint study day between the Royal Collection and Wellcome Collection will introduce students studying science and biology to the topic of anatomy and specifically the knowledge of the subject highlighted by Leonardo’s drawings.
Key stages 4 and 5

Life drawing
Students will work with freelance artists to examine and draw the human body both in life and through the anatomical drawings of Leonardo da Vinci on display in the exhibition; enabling students to enhance their understanding of Leonardo's drawings and to develop their own work through the artist led life-drawing class.
Key stage 5


The Royal Collection
The Royal Collection is one of the most important art collections in the world. It contains paintings and drawings by many of the greatest artists of Western Art, including Leonardo da Vinci, Holbein, Rembrandt, Van Dyck and Vermeer, as well as superb examples of works of art from all over the world – furniture, ceramics, silver and gold, sculpture, books and armour. Items from the Royal Collection can be seen at royal residences across Britain and at The Queen’s Galleries in London and Edinburgh.

Royal Collection Learning is responsible for the development and delivery of learning resources and programmes for schools, families and adults visiting Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Our aim is to inspire groups to engage with, enjoy and learn about the Royal Collection. Go to: www.royalcollection.org.uk/learning to find out more about Learning opportunities with the Royal Collection​​​​​​