Readers may remember from last week’s Photo Friday that Susan Sanders is roaming the US in search of Rome (and inventions upon the Eterna) in America. This week she’s sent us something that made the whole compound burst into giggles – it’s a replica of Leonardo da Vinci’s Sforza Horse (surrounded by a tiny tiny white picket fense) that currently standing in front of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.
The horse heralds the opening of a new exhibit at the High titled “Leonardo da Vinci. Hand of the Genius,” curated by Renaissance scholar Gary Radke. The exhibition features approximately 50 works, including more than 20 sketches and studies by Leonardo, some of which will be on display for the first time in the United States
But back to that horse. In 1481-82, the young Leonardo da Vinci was working in Milan when Duke Ludovico Sforza commissioned him to create a colossal equestrian statue of his father, Francesco. In typical Leonardo-esque fashion, the artist spent nearly two decades studying and sketching horses as well as experimenting with the techniques of bronze casting in preparation for the project. He created a huge clay model, but before he could cast the bronze, war broke out and French soldiers invading northern Italy requisitioned the precious metal set aside for the project and used it for cannons. The invading soldiers also destroyed the great clay horse.
Nonetheless, Leonardo left behind a myriad of plans and sketches. Some of those will be on view in the High exhibition so that visitors can compare the modern recreation of the Sforza horse outside the museum (it’s some 24 feet tall) to Leonardo’s original vision.
For more photos by Susan, visit her blog: Rome With A View.
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