Sforza Horse Fact Sheet
Press Release Date
Wednesday, 27 August, 2008
- Iconic symbol of "Leonardo: 500 Years Into The Future" exhibition at The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose from September 27, 2008 to January 4, 2009
- Designed as a gift for Ludovico il Moro, the Duke of Milan, as a monument to Francesco Sforza, Ludovico's predecessor, 1492; would have been Leonardo's only major sculpture
- 70 tons of bronze were set aside for the original sculpture which was only built in clay before the project was abandoned
- Bronze was later melted down to make cannons used in the defense of Milan against invasion by Charles VIII
- San Jose model is 24 feet tall, steel and Fiberglass construction
- Total Weight - 20 tons
Base - 33,000 pounds
Horse - 6,600 pounds - Required two ocean containers to ship from Florence, Italy
- Assembled locally by Italian artisans Will be on display through January 4, 2009
