Double manuscript page on the Sforza monument (Casting mold of the head and neck) 1493

Here we see Leonardo da Vinci’s red chalk sketches, part of his studies for the Sforza monument, revealing intricate details of the casting mold for the horse’s head and neck. These technical drawings are more than mere blueprints; they speak to a fascination with form and the process of creation itself. The cage-like structure depicted here echoes similar motifs in earlier reliquaries, where the bones of saints were encased in precious metals. The skeletal framework suggests the body's absence, yet simultaneously emphasizes the enduring legacy of form. Think of the classical sculptures encased in scaffolding, rediscovered during the Renaissance. These sketches are palimpsests of history and cultural memory. Consider the psychological weight of creating a vessel meant to capture the essence of power and nobility. The symbol evolves, surfaces, and transforms again, reflecting the relentless, cyclical currents of history.