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The Monocular Duke of Urbino
Stephen G Schwartz1, Christopher T Leffler2, Pamela S Chavis3
1Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
Ophthalmology and Eye Diseases
|December 17, 2016
Summary
Federico da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino, may have had nasal surgery after losing an eye. However, historical analysis suggests this surgery likely offered minimal visual improvement.
Area of Science:
- Art History
- Ophthalmology
- Renaissance Studies
Background:
- Federico da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino, lost his right eye in a tournament.
- A famous portrait by Piero della Francesca depicts the Duke from the left, highlighting his nose.
Approach:
- Historical analysis of the Duke's potential nasal surgery.
- Theoretical examination of how nasal surgery could impact visual fields and ocular parallax.
Key Points:
- Surgery may have theoretically expanded the nasal visual field and reduced ocular parallax.
- Potential shifting of the visual egocenter was considered but deemed unrelated to surgery.
- The Duke's actual surgical history remains unproven.
Conclusions:
- The proposed nasal surgery for Federico da Montefeltro is historically unsubstantiated.
- Even if performed, the surgery likely provided negligible benefits to his visual function.
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