Studies of a horse, c.1490 (metalpoint on pale buff prepared paper)

A full-length drawing of a standing horse, facing the viewer; a study of the hind-quarters of a horse, with its back to the spectator; a full-length horse, in profile to the right, turned slightly away from the spectator; a slight sketch of a horse, and a small drawing of horse walking to the left in profile. 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. Though Leonardo completed a huge clay model for the monument, he was prevented from casting it in bronze, and the model was destroyed by invading French forces in 1499.