Hand wasting in Calumny of Apelles

Abstract

Renaissance painting from the early 15th to mid 16th centuries originated in the area of present-day Italy. Inspired by the works of ancient Greece and Rome, artist produced painting based on topographic observation and the idealistic body proportion. The most of the painting depicts human figure in perfect shape. Calumny of Apelles was painted by the Italian painter Sandro Botticelli. A dark male figure painted in center with bilateral symmetrical distal wasting of limbs and poor body frame. The unusual portrayal may also suggest use of live model suffering from lead toxicity and lead neuropathy.