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Andreas Vesalius's fame derives from his writing of what is perhaps the most famous book in the history of medical science, 'De humanis corporis fabrica' (1543), a treatise that within a few years transformed the imperfect art of anatomy into a modern science. This extraordinary work, however, came into being not just because of its author's genius and industry, but for other reasons that remain (despite a vast body of scholarship) inadequately explored. These questions, the historical moment from which they stem, and the setting in which Vesalius produced the 'Fabrica', form the core of this volume. Some of these significant factors include the short time during which 'De fabrica' was produced, the debated authorship of its illustrations, and its immediate and subsequent impact on the teaching of anatomy. The book's significance within the context of present-day views of its historical value, and the ever increasing fascination it evokes among scholars and collectors alike, are also examined.