Andreas Vesalius (1514-1564) was a Brabantian physician and anatomist, often referred to as the founder of modern human anatomy. His groundbreaking work, De humani corporis fabrica (On the Fabric of the Human Body), published in 1543, revolutionized the study of the human body.
Prior to Vesalius, anatomical knowledge was largely based on the ancient texts of Galen, which contained numerous errors due to Galen's reliance on animal dissection. Vesalius, through meticulous and direct dissection of human cadavers, corrected these long-held misconceptions. His detailed observations and stunningly accurate illustrations, created by artists from Titian's workshop, provided an unprecedented visual record of human anatomy.
Vesalius's insistence on empirical observation and his courage in challenging established authorities paved the way for a more scientific approach to medicine. His work not only advanced anatomical understanding but also influenced surgical techniques and the broader development of medical science during the Renaissance and beyond.
