The American Horse (also known as Leonardo's Horse or Cavallo di Leonardo)
Outdoor sculpture / Monumental public art • Nina Akamu (after designs by Leonardo da Vinci)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Classicism / Renaissance-inspired realism
Medium & Technique
Bronze using lost-wax casting with a brown patina; mounted on a tiered granite base.
Creation Period
Late 20th century (Dedicated 1999)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 feet high (monumental scale); the version pictured is the smaller of the two located at the Meijer Gardens (the 8-foot model)
Subject Description
A monumental bronze horse standing in a powerful trot-like pose with one front leg raised. The work is a modern realization of Leonardo da Vinci's unfinished Sforza monument, commissioned in 1482.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; well-maintained public sculpture with consistent patina and no structural damage visible.
Estimated Market Value
$5,000,000 - $10,000,000 (as a fixed institutional monument; theoretical for the site-specific casting)
Auction Estimate
$2,000,000 - $4,000,000 (based on smaller limited edition bronze reductions if they were to enter the market)
Provenance History
Commissioned by Frederik Meijer for the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan; inspired by Charles Dent's vision to complete Leonardo's work.
Art Historical Significance
A landmark project that bridge-links Renaissance engineering and contemporary sculpture, completing a conceptual vision lost for 500 years after Leonardo's clay model was destroyed in 1499.
Notable Features
Features the distinct muscular anatomical detail researched by Leonardo; the sculpture at Meijer Gardens is one of only two full-scale versions in the world (the other being in Milan).
Condition Issues
Minor surface weathering typical of outdoor exposure; slight oxidation of bronze and mineral deposits on the stone base from rainfall.
Conservation Recommendations
Regular annual waxing and cleaning to maintain the protective patina; monitoring of the granite base for joint seal integrity.
Collector Notes
Meijer garden