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Measured Drawing of a Horse Facing Left (recto)

ca. 1480–88
Not on view
This drawing is a remarkable example of the Renaissance preoccupation with ideal proportions, as seen in the Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci, Verrocchio’s most famous pupil. Verrocchio began this drawing by making a semi-stylized outline of the subject. He then further schematized the body by dividing it up and inscribing it with detailed measurements. The precision of the measurements supports the idea that this study was related to the bronze equestrian statue for Bartolomeo Colleoni— a commission Verrocchio won in a competition announced by the Republic of Venice in 1479 and was awarded in 1483.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Measured Drawing of a Horse Facing Left (recto)
  • Artist: Andrea del Verrocchio (Italian, Florence 1435–1488 Venice)
  • Date: ca. 1480–88
  • Medium: Pen and dark brown ink, over traces of black chalk
  • Dimensions: Overall: 9 13/16 x 11 11/16 in. (24.9 x 29.7 cm) maximum
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Frederick C. Hewitt Fund, 1917
  • Object Number: 19.76.5
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

More Artwork
Madonna and Child, Andrea del Verrocchio Italian, Tempera and gold on wood
Madonna and Child
Workshop of Andrea del Verrocchio
ca. 1470
Lobster-Tail Burgonet, Steel, leather, gold, North Italian
Lobster-Tail Burgonet
North Italian
ca. 1610
The Archangel Gabriel announcing the birth of Christ, Lucas van Leyden Netherlandish, Pen and brown ink; squared in black chalk; framing lines in pen and brown ink
The Archangel Gabriel announcing the birth of Christ
Lucas van Leyden
1520s
Lady holding a bunch of flowers to her breast, Andrea del Verrocchio Italian, Plaster and stucco, polychromed and gilt, Italian, Florence
Lady holding a bunch of flowers to her breast
After a composition by Andrea del Verrocchio
probably late 19th century
Sallet in the Shape of a Lion's Head, Steel, copper, gold, glass, pigment, textile, Italian
Sallet in the Shape of a Lion's Head
Italian
ca. 1475–80

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