The Restless Viking: Leonardo’s Horse

I have marveled at this statue and the life of it’s inspiration, Leonardo di Vinci. Each year I would read, “Monday with a Mad Genius,” by Mary Pope Osborne to my students with the hope of sparking interest in past inventions and artwork. Leonardo di Vinci was an engineer, sculptor and painter in the renaissance era (1452-1519) where science and art merged into new creations.

When I organized our second grade field trips to the Meijer Gardens our art teacher, Gene Ellens, offered to host a “sketching party station” at the 24 foot bronze sculpture. Folding stools, clipboards and pencils were set up around the statue as student groups arrived.

Leonardo di Vinci’s Horse

In 1493 Duke Ludovico il Moro commissioned Leonardo di Vinci to create a two-story bronze horse sculpture to honor his father, Francesco Sforza. Francesco was the founder of the Sforza Dynasty which ruled Milan, Italy.

Leonardo began studying the anatomy of horses and drawing sketches. He had constructed a clay model by 1493. Leonardo envisioned this bronze statue, “to be visible from afar, gleaming in the sun.”

The French invaded Milan, Italy in 1499 taking over the city. Sadly, Leonardo’s clay model was destroyed. With the Sforza family no longer in rule, Leonardo never completed this masterpiece.

Charles Dent’s Horse

In 1979 Charles Dent, a retired airline pilot, read The National Geographic article (1977) about Leonardo di Vinci’s commissioned bronze horse which had never been completed. Charles Dent was energized and motivated to make this dream come true.

As Charles and his team worked, it was discovered that there were proportion issues with the clay model. As well, the anatomy was off is a few places. Sadly, Charles Dent passed away in 1994 before this project was finished.

Following these plans, the Tallix Art Foundry of Beacon, New York, made another attempt at the 24 foot statue. They used a cement-clay substance. It wasn’t working well.

Nina Akamu’s Horse

Nina Akamu was hired to ‘fix’ the model with modifications. Fred Meijer saw an article in the New York Times and started following the progress of this project.

Over the next four months Nina worked on a plaster model making improvements in the design. The Leonardo di Vinci Horse, Inc board members decided that the anatomical corrections would be too difficult. The project was discontinued. All the models were destroyed.

Fred Meijer supports Nina Akamu’s work

In 1997 Fred Meijer, a philanthropist, sponsored a new beginning for the horse sculpture. He commissioned Nina Akamu to create an entirely new model. She is well known for her sculpting of animals. With her previous involvement with Charles Dent’s project, Nina was the perfect candidate. She got started with sketches and smaller models.

With Nina leading the team of 60 artists along with Greg Glasson, the special project manager of Tallix Inc, and Rod Skidmore, the acting art director, their work moved along smoothly. Seven assistants were hired for proportion work and sculpting.

Seeing the sunlight shimmer off the bronze American horse gave me chills thinking Leonardo’s wish that his horse sculpture would be ‘visible from afar, gleaming in the sun.”

Nina Akamu crafted two 24 foot masterpieces. One for Milan, Italy and the other for Fredrick Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, Michigan. There’s a twelve foot version in Allentown, Pennsylvania and a seven foot sculpture in Vinci, Italy.

500 years after the destruction of Leonardo’s model horse, “Il Cavallo” (The Horse) sculpture was dedicated in Milan, Italy on September 10, 1999.

On October 10, 1999 Nina Akamu’s bronze sculpture “The American Horse” was installed at Fredrick Meijer Gardens. It is impressive to stroll up to this masterpiece. Walking around the enormous model created a sense of awe for me. Knowing the long story of this horse and witnessing it’s creation coming full circle is gratifying.

Fred and Lena Meijer’s generosity has left a beautiful legacy of culture within their gardens and sculpture park. Not only are there butterflies and a children’s garden, but there’s a 1930’s farm, a Japanese garden, wetlands and concerts in the outdoor theater. Our community is fortunate to have this venue of beauty.