The Vitruvian Man (1490), perhaps the most famous of Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings, always resides at the Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice. It is not, however, always on display (five-hundred year-old paper must be preserved). In fact, the last possibility to view this work was over seven years ago.

It’s time has come, however. If you’ll be in Venice between now and just after the first of the year, you’ll be able to view this celebrated study of human proportions envisioned from notes of Roman architect Vitruvius Pollio (…the distance from the bottom of the neck to the hairline is one-sixth of a man’s height, the maximum width of the shoulders is a quarter of a man’s height, the distance from the middle of the chest to the top of the head is a quarter of a man’s height…), with Leonardo’s own notes in his equally-famous mirror writing, through January 10, 2010.

The Vitruvian Man (Uomo vitruviano)

Gallerie dell’Accademia
Dorsoduro 1050 (just off the Accademia Bridge in the Campo della Carità)
041 520 0345

Through January 10, 2010

Hours:
Mon, 8:15 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Tue – Sun, 8:15 a.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Last entrance is 45 minutes prior to closing.

Tickets:
€8,50 (+1€ to reserve)
Reservations may be made by phone at the number above, or online.