Final answer:
Leonardo da Vinci significantly advanced the artistic study of the human form by dissecting corpses, which allowed him unparalleled insight into human anatomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Leonardo da Vinci's Contribution to the Study of the Human Form
Leonardo da Vinci contributed to the artistic study of the human form through a variety of methods. Among these, the most significant was his direct study of human anatomy by means of dissecting corpses. This practice allowed him an unparalleled understanding of the body's structure, which he applied to his art. Leonardo's dissections were not done solely for artistic purposes. They also contributed to the field of science and medicine, as he recorded his findings in detailed drawings and notes. Despite the restrictions imposed by his time, Leonardo managed to dissect at least 30 human cadavers, drawing elaborately detailed pictures of various body parts, including the brain and a fetus in the womb. These dissections and the subsequent drawings added to the advancement of both science and the realistic portrayal of the human form in art. While Leonardo was known to utilize other methods such as studying ancient texts and using live models, his dissections provided him with insights that could not have been achieved by these means alone. His notebooks, filled with illustrations and writings, demonstrate his dedication to understanding the human body in depth. It is his meticulous study of anatomy through dissections that remains a crucial part of Leonardo's legacy as an artist and a scientist.