“Human dissection is at the intersection of art and science.”
Professor Vesna stated and I couldn't agree more. Countless artists actually
studied anatomy through experimentation to bring their artwork into life.
Leonardo Da Vinci is a famous Renaissance Man who “did not even see this divide
between art and science.” In fact, he was one of the first to have drawings of
the heart, vascular system, and other muscle bone structures. (1)
 |
| Leonardo reconstructs the human anatomy http://www.artcrimearchive.org/article?id=88001 |
As
an artist, I remember being forced to study and sketch the human anatomy
countless times. However, the human anatomy is important in artwork because it distinguishes
a realistic drawing from a flat drawing. (2) For example, an active muscle
(contracted) is bulged and hard — this must be emphasized in order to provide
an accurate drawing of an athlete.
 |
| Observe the muscle in this football player http://coreyheck301.com |
Today,
the anatomy has still retained both its artistic and scientific features.
Plastic surgery is an excellent example of this. “Good judgment, dexterity, and
creativity, are what elevates a good plastic surgeon from the rank of a
technician to the status of an artistic,” Raja Srour stated in the Art of
Cosmetic Surgery (3). Plastic surgery involves extensive scientific knowledge —
it is the “organized knowledge of the fundamental principles involving the
transplantation and shifting of tissues.” (4) However, it also involves art as
the surgeon can replicate famous paintings or icons’ specific feature. (5)
Overall, I believe the human anatomy still is an applicable and widespread
proof that art and science isn’t all that different; in fact, it is more
similar than we actually know.
 |
| Plastic Surgery |
Citations:
1. "Leonardo da Vinci." Bio. A&E
Television Networks, 2015. Web. 26 Apr. 2015.
2. Human Anatomy
Fundamentals: Muscles and Other Body Masses
3. The Art of Cosmetic
Surgery
4. John Davis, John Staige. “THE ART AND SCIENCE OF PLASTIC
SURGERY.”Annals of Surgery 84.2 (1926): 203–210. Print.
5. Priscilla Frank, “ORLAN
Talks Plastic Surgery, Beauty Standards, and Giving Her Fat to Madonna” Huffington Post, Jan 29, 2013
Hi Melinda,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the images you selected for this week's blog post, specifically Da Vinci's reconstruction of the human anatomy. He is highly regarded as an artist for his beautiful paintings, but he was a truly multi-talented individual, with strengths and knowledge in mathematics, engineering, anatomy, and more. Da Vinci is a prime example of how we can benefit by challenging ourselves to learn about topics outside of our comfort zones in order to further deepen our understanding of areas we are already proficient in. I think your mention of plastic surgery is indeed a fitting example of art influencing the medical field. This particular intersection of art and medicine also raises questions and varied opinions related to medical ethics, including a consideration of whether the cosmetic benefits are worth the health risks implicated in performing the procedures.