title: More than a neuroanatomical representation in The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo Buonarroti, a representation of the Golden Ratio.
abstract: Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564) was a master anatomist as well as an artistic genius. He dissected numerous cadavers and developed a profound understanding of human anatomy. Among his best-known artworks are the frescoes painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel (1508-1512), in Rome. Currently, there is some debate over whether the frescoes merely represent the teachings of the Catholic Church at the time or if there are other meanings hidden in the images. In addition, there is speculation regarding the image of the brain embedded in the fresco known as "The Creation of Adam," which contains anatomic features of the midsagittal and lateral surfaces of the brain. Within this context, we report our use of Image Pro Plus Software 6.0 to demonstrate mathematical evidence that Michelangelo painted "The Creation of Adam" using the Divine Proportion/Golden Ratio (GR) (1.6). The GR is classically associated with greater structural efficiency and is found in biological structures and works of art by renowned artists. Thus, according to the evidence shown in this article, we can suppose that the beauty and harmony recognized in all Michelangelo's works may not be based solely on his knowledge of human anatomical proportions, but that the artist also probably knew anatomical structures that conform to the GR display greater structural efficiency. It is hoped that this report will at least stimulate further scientific and scholarly contributions to this fascinating topic, as the study of these works of art is essential for the knowledge of the history of Anatomy.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.|Departamento de Biologia e Farmácia, Universidade de Santa Cruz do Sul, 96815-900, Santa Cruz do Sul, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Deivis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: de Campos
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Morfológicas, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tais
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Malysz
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.|Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Vale do Rio do Sinos, 93000-000, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: João Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bonatto-Costa
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Morfológicas, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Geraldo Pereira
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Jotz
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.|Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Vale do Rio do Sinos, 93000-000, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lino Pinto
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: de Oliveira Junior
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Andrea Oxley
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: da Rocha
mesh_terms: D005197:Famous Persons; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D009445:Neuroanatomy / Q000266:history*; D010151:Paintings / Q000266:history*
keywords: Golden Ratio; Michelangelo; Religion; The Creation of Adam; history of anatomy; illustrations