Two men studying a corpse by the light of a candle stuck in its chest. Etching after a drawing attributed to Polidoro Caldara (Polidoro da Caravaggio).

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<p>Traditionally, this drawing has been considered to represent Michelangelo studying anatomy. It has been associated with Mariette's description of one of two drawings in Crozat's collection representing "Michel-Ange occupé à faire des dissections". While it was in Woodburn's collection it was described as Michelangelo and the anatomist Marcantonio della Torre dissecting a cadaver. It is unlikely that Michelangelo and della Torre knew each other, and it might be a confusion for Vasari's description of Leonardo da Vinci's collaboration with the anatomist. The kneeling figure on the left holds a compass in his right hand and the seated figure on the right indicating the abdomen, also seems to have a measuring instrument which rests against his left arm. In the original drawing, lines emanating from the candle's flame to the two figures have been incised</p>

Two men studying a corpse by the light of a candle stuck in its chest. Etching after a drawing attributed to Polidoro Caldara (Polidoro da Caravaggio).

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