The artwork known as “Equestrian monument” is attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, a seminal figure of the High Renaissance. Created approximately in 1517 while da Vinci resided in Paris, France, this sketch and study employ chalk as the medium on paper, revealing the artist’s meticulous attention to form and detail. The piece measures 27.8 by 18.4 centimeters, aligning with da Vinci’s penchant for intimate scale in his studies.
The artwork itself displays a series of rough sketches predominantly focused on a central figure: a rider mounted on a horse which is rendered with careful attention to musculature and posture. The horse stands proudly in profile, giving the impression of motion and strength. The rider appears composed and dignified, suggesting the statue’s subject may be a figure of importance, such as a nobleman or military leader. Above and below the main sketch are smaller studies of horses that convey a sense of movement and study of equine anatomy. These additional sketches may represent variations or preparatory work as the artist refined his vision for the larger composition. The overall arrangement of the sketches on the paper, freeform yet deliberate, display da Vinci’s exploratory process as he sought to capture the essence of an equestrian figure in a monument. The work imparts more than a mere reverence for the subject; it encapsulates an inquiry into anatomy, form, and the representation of nobility and power during the Renaissance.
