Pyramid of Men 1540 - 1550

"Pyramid of Men" is a drawing by the French artist Juste de Juste (1501-1559) and is an example of the artist's interest in the human form, particularly in its anatomical detail and complex positions. This 16th-century work, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, uses a series of nude male figures, posed and stacked in a dynamic pyramid, to illustrate the human anatomy in a striking visual study. The artist's meticulous rendering of muscle definition and anatomical detail is evident in the highly realistic portrayal of the figures. The work’s composition, featuring stacked, contorted figures, exemplifies the use of the human body as a subject for both artistic and scientific exploration, reflecting the Renaissance period's strong interest in anatomy and the burgeoning scientific movement.