Gaspare Tagliacozzi (1545–1599) is widely recognised as a founding figure in the field of reconstructive surgery, whose work laid the groundwork for modern plastic surgery. Practicing in Renaissance Bologna, Tagliacozzi developed innovative techniques for autologous tissue transfer, most notably the “Italian method” of nasal reconstruction using pedicled skin flaps from the upper arm. His landmark publication, De Curtorum Chirurgia per Insitionem (1597), systematically documented surgical methods, postoperative care, and anatomical principles, providing one of the earliest comprehensive treatises on plastic surgery. Tagliacozzi emphasized both functional restoration and aesthetic considerations, advocating meticulous planning to achieve natural appearance and symmetry. Despite initial controversy and moral scrutiny, his work profoundly influenced European surgical practice and persisted as a reference for centuries. Modern review of Tagliacozzi’s techniques highlights the ingenuity of his approach to tissue transfer, principles of flap design, and early recognition of the importance of vascular supply - concepts that underpin contemporary microsurgery.