Leonardo Begins Sforza Horse

1491

Leonardo modeled a clay horse twenty-four feet tall for an equestrian monument to Francesco Sforza, intended to be cast in seventy tons of bronze. The clay model stood for years; the bronze was requisitioned for cannons when the French invaded. The horse became Renaissance Milan's most spectacular incomplete project. The bronze was requisitioned for cannons when the French invaded, and the horse became Renaissance Milan's most spectacular failure.