Analysis Paper Ben Smith 3A

The Study of Horse

Introduction The piece of artwork that I have chosen to study is a sketch by Leonardo Da Vinci. It was titled The Study of Horse, or people also refer to it as Leonardos Horse. This sketch was meant to become a sculpture. Leonard was commissioned in 1482 by Duke of Milan Ludovico il Moro, to complete this work, but unfortunately, was never to reach its completed form. It was initially intended to be the largest equestrian statue in the world. It also was meant to be a monument to the dukes father whos name was Francesco. Leonardo spent hours or extensive preparatory work to do this project, but he only produced a clay model. French soldiers later rudely destroyed this model when they invaded Milan in 1499. This became a permanent interruption to the project. After about five centuries, Leonardos surviving design materials were used as the basis for sculptures that were intended to bring the project into reality.

Description This sketch really may look like a simple little scribbling to some people, but if you look with real intent, you will find that there are some very finite details that show true skill and passion. In answer to the question, What is there?, it is quite simple in saying that it is a sketch of a horse. It has a view from the side, and also a view of the front of the legs. It seems to have been drawn with lead on a thick kind of paper, or canvas, and it is most definitely best defined under the drawing category. This sketch is representational. It shows very defined body techniques and toned muscles. It is realistic in looking at a picture of a horse in our world today and then looking at this sketch. Formal Analysis

When you look at this work of art, it is easy to see some of the major elements that are used. The most important probably being the line. This entire work was made with one drawing utensil and it is very defined and precise. It also has a lot of value shown throughout the work. To help define the muscles, hatching and some crosshatching was used to show the effects better. The combination of these two elements helps to show us all of the little details. You can see each little thing very easily by the way that each line is so precise. This allows the picture to become very realistic. Underlying Symbols Since Leonardo originally planned to create this work as a memorial for the Dukes father, it seems that Leonardo saw him as a man with stature and poise. He made this a very defined, but also elegant figure to show the pride and power of this man. Just by the way he designed the plans for the sculpture, it can be made clear what feelings were felt to this man and the respect that some thought that he deserved. Judgment I really like this artwork. I have always been fascinated with horses and to see them so proudly portrayed and so refined brings me joy. I really like how precise the artwork is. I also like how he created two separate drawings to make his thoughts more clear. Another factor to the art is the lines along the horses body that cut it vertically. This shows that Leonardo was not exactly a crazy perfectionist. When he designed things, he didnt erase all of the helpful hints that arent exactly artistically inclined.

Bibliography

Web Page, Guide Services, Vittorio and Simona, http://www.pinpush.com/sightseeing/horse.htm

Web Page, Da Vinci Science Center, http://www.davincisciencecenter.org/insidedsc/leonardo-and-the-horse/

Web Page, Discovery News, Created by Discovery News Specialists, http://news.discovery.com/videos/history-leonardo-davinci-perfected-words-largesthorse-statue.html