Recto: A study for an equestrian monument

Institution

Royal Collection Trust

Object description:

Recto: a study of a nude figure on a horse, rearing in profile to the left. A prostrate foe lies beneath the horse's raised fore-feet. Verso: rough drawings of walls; equilateral triangles; a wave; a crossbow; water falling from a pipe; a wheel in a box; a weight diagram. In the years around 1490 Leonardo made many studies of horses, in preparation for a projected equestrian monument to Francesco Sforza, the former Duke of Milan. In this early study for the monument the rearing horse is supported by a cowering soldier, a complicated pose which Leonardo later abandoned.

Object/Work type:

drawings (visual works)

Cultural Heritage type:

Visual Works (hierarchy name)

Location:

London - United Kingdom

Object measurements:

15.2 x 18.8 cm (sheet of paper)

Production

Leonardo da Vinci (Vinci 1452-Amboise 1519) (artist)

Date: c.1485-90

Place: Italy; Milan

Material/Technique: Recto: Metalpoint on blue prepared paper. Verso: Pen and ink

Provenance

Charles II, King of Great Britain (1630-85) (Acquirer)

Material/Technique: [None]

Subject/theme:

Horses, Arms (weapons), Sforza, Francesco I, Duke of Milan, Count of Pavia, 1401-1466

Resource

Rights Type:  

Record

Source: Royal Collection Trust