Artistic Anatomy of Animals

A thorough guide for visual artists, this volume opens with the authors’ reflections on why animal anatomy deserves a place alongside the study of the human form. Drawing on decades of teaching at the École des Beaux‑Arts, it explains how a solid grasp of skeletal structure, musculature and surface movement can free the imagination rather than constrain it. The text is peppered with reproduced sketches from the museum’s collection, offering concrete examples that illuminate the underlying anatomy of horses, quadrupeds and birds.

The authors argue that the great masters—Raphael, Michelangelo, Leonardo and Géricault—all built their iconic works on rigorous anatomical study, and they present selected plates to illustrate this legacy. By pairing clear, practical instruction with historical insight, the book equips students and practicing artists alike with the tools to render animal figures convincingly and expressively. It serves as both a classroom supplement and a reference for anyone seeking to deepen their observational skills.