What artwork is linked to the concept of the idealized human form in the High Renaissance?

The artwork linked to the concept of the idealized human form in the High Renaissance is the Vitruvian Man. This drawing, created by Leonardo da Vinci, exemplifies the Renaissance belief in the harmony and proportion of the human body, reflecting the influence of classical ideals. The Vitruvian Man is not only a study of the human figure but also an illustration of the mathematical relationships that suggest an idealized form based upon ancient Roman architect Vitruvius's ideas.

The proportions depicted in the Vitruvian Man show how the human body can be a model of symmetry and proportion, embodying the ideals of beauty and the connection between humanity and the universe—foundational concepts in Renaissance art and philosophy. Da Vinci merged art with science through this work, emphasizing the importance of observation and measurement in the pursuit of understanding human anatomy.

Choosing the Vitruvian Man highlights the High Renaissance's larger goals of achieving ideal beauty and balanced proportions, which differed markedly from earlier art periods that did not emphasize these characteristics to the same extent.