Vesalio

Vesalio, also known as Andreas Vesalius (1514–1564), was a Flemish physician and anatomist widely regarded as the founder of modern human anatomy. Born in Brussels to a family of physicians, he studied at the University of Leuven, then continued his training in Paris and Padua, where he pursued advanced studies in anatomy and began performing human dissections.

Vesalio challenged centuries of reliance on Galenic authority by emphasizing direct observation. He conducted dissections, taught anatomy with fresh human bodies, and collaborated with skilled illustrators to produce precise visual representations. His most famous work, De humani corporis fabrica (1543), organized the body's structure across several books and paired detailed descriptions with extensive woodcut illustrations. The Fabrica helped shift medical authority toward empirical observation and corrected numerous errors attributed to Galen’s writings.

After his time in Padua, Vesalius served as a physician to the court of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and later to Philip II of Spain. His career facilitated the dissemination of humane anatomy across Europe and promoted a methodological shift in medical education toward observation, verification, and careful documentation.

Vesalius died in 1564. His work established a lasting standard for anatomical study and medical illustration, influencing generations of physicians and contributing to the broader scientific changes of the era. His legacy rests on the central role of dissection, careful observation, and accurate visualization in understanding the human body.