Study Models of Parts of the Body before 1570

This is a study model of a human leg, created by Johan Gregor van der Schardt around 1570, likely in Italy. This was a period when artists were deeply engaged with anatomical studies, moving beyond medieval medical theories. Artists in the Renaissance were concerned with capturing the true likeness of the human body, making anatomical studies all the more crucial. This model then, has strong links to the development of anatomical science, in that the cultural demand for art which truly represented the human form, drove forward the study of anatomy in the Renaissance. If we want to understand more about the role of models like this in the training of artists, we might look to archival records of the art academies that sprung up in Italy during this period. Such institutions played a vital role in shaping artistic production, and the public's understanding of art.