Leonardo da Vinci (Vinci 1452-Amboise 1519). Recto: The superficial anatomy of the shoulder and neck, c. 1510-1511. Pen and ink with wash, over black chalk, 29.2 x 19.8 cm. RCIN 919003. Royal Collection © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Leonardo da Vinci (Vinci 1452-Amboise 1519). Verso: The muscles of the shoulder, ca 1510-1511. Pen and ink with wash, over black chalk, 29.2 x 19.8 cm. RCIN 919003. Royal Collection © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Provenance: Bequeathed to Francesco Melzi; from whose heirs purchased by Pompeo Leoni, c.1582-90; Thomas Howard, 2nd Earl of Arundel, by 1630; Probably acquired by Charles II; Royal Collection by 1690.

Charles II, King of Great Britain (1630-85)

This sheet displays the full range of Leonardo’s illustrative techniques, showing the structure of the muscles of the shoulder. Pectoralis major is divided into parts to represent the lines of force along which it acts. This method reaches its logical conclusion in the drawing at top right, which is an example of Leonardo’s ‘thread model’. This technique - invented by Leonardo - reduced the muscles to single cords along their central lines of force, such that the spatial structure of an entire system can be perceived at once.

RL 19003v

Text adapted from Holbein to Hockney: Drawings from the Royal Collection