Vitruvian Man (c. 1490–1492) — Leonardo da Vinci

Where art and geometry shake hands. Leonardo’s Vitruvian Man is the Renaissance distilled—human proportion measured, inscribed, and made sublime. Ink lines breathe; the circle and square lock into harmony; notes hum at the margins. It’s a drawing that launched a thousand design conversations and still anchors studios, libraries, and homes with quiet authority.

Why it captivates

• Icon of the Renaissance — the definitive image of proportion, balance, and humanist inquiry.

• Art + science — anatomy, mathematics, and architecture in one elegant sheet.

• Graphic perfection — the circle and square composition reads beautifully across a room.

• Conversation piece — instantly recognisable yet endlessly discussable.

• Timeless palette — warm paper tone and sepia linework suit classic and contemporary spaces.

What you’ll see

A nude male figure in two superimposed stances—arms and legs extended—inscribed within a circle and a square. Around him, Leonardo’s mirror-written notes on Vitruvius’s canons of proportion. Hands, feet, and facial planes are articulated with surgical economy; every line is doing exactly one job.

A richer historical frame

Between c. 1490 and 1492, Leonardo set out to unite Roman architect Vitruvius’s proportions with observed anatomy. The result is not merely illustration but argument: that the human body is a measure of the world, and that design should answer to both mathematics and life. Copied, quoted, and reinterpreted for five centuries, this sheet remains the shorthand for Renaissance humanism—curiosity disciplined by geometry.

Choose your finish

🌟 Heavyweight Paper (160 gsm matte)
Archival-grade, smooth matte stock ideal for framing under glass. Crisp linework, minimal glare.

💎 Laminated (True Encapsulation)
Sealed in 2 × 80-micron gloss laminate, edge-to-edge. Durable, wipe-clean—great for studios and classrooms.

🪵 Laminated + Timber Hang Rails (Ready to hang)
Lacquered natural timber rails with fitted hanging cord; no frame required.
Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed delivery.

🏆 Archival Canvas (395 gsm HP Professional Matte)
Museum-quality texture with pigment-based, fade-resistant inks for rich tone and fine detail.

🪵 Canvas + Timber Hang Rails (Gallery-ready)
As above, supplied with lacquered natural timber rails and hanging cord.
Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed delivery.

Size (W × H)

611 × 841 mm (approx. 24.06 × 33.11 in)

• Orientation: Portrait

• Aspect ratio: ~0.727 : 1 (≈ 3 : 4)

• Nearest standard frame:

  • 70 × 100 cm portrait with a custom mat window cut to ~607 × 837 mm (2–3 mm overlap).

  • Prefer A-sizes? We can supply an A1-friendly 594 × 841 mm version on request.

Framing tips:

• Classic: warm off-white mat, slim black or walnut moulding.

• Contemporary: float-mount to showcase the plate edges and a subtle shadow gap.

Custom sizing: Available on request (alternative aspect ratios or added white border).

Specifications

Who it’s for

• Designers & architects who live by proportion

• Educators & students of art, anatomy, and geometry

• Collectors of essential images in cultural history

• Gift-givers seeking an iconic, meaningful work

Our Commitment

Every print is produced locally in Australia on premium substrates with careful colour management, then checked and packed by hand so it arrives ready to impress. From studio to wall, we stand behind the craftsmanship and historical integrity of your piece.

Put Renaissance balance at the heart of your space—order your Vitruvian Man print today.