University of Virginia Historical Collections at the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library

Anatomy: The Foundation of Medicine

Anatomy: The Foundation of Medicine and a Collection of Anatomical Charts at the University of Virginia


Starting with Aristotle and continuing with such greats as Hippocrates, GalenLeonardo da Vinci, Vesalius, and Albinus, this online exhibit briefly traces the history of anatomical study and drawing. The essay relates the importance of numerous technical and artistic advancements as well as a cultural climate favorable to human dissection.  The exhibit culminates in images from three different series of wall charts which are housed in the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library at the University of Virginia.

These charts are now presented for the perusal of the twenty-first century viewer.