Diwatang Byaning

Italian artisans will get to work this week assembling a steel and fiberglass model of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Sforza Horse” in front of San Jose’s Tech Museum of Innovation.

The giant equine is a herald for the exhibition, “Leonardo: 500 Years into the Future,” which opens Sept. 27 at the Tech, and will be on display at the corner of Market Street and Park Avenue until Jan. 4

The horse, shipped from Italy in two huge containers, was designed by Leonardo in the 15th century as a tribute to Francesco Sforza, the Duke of Milan. Originally intended to be cast in bronze, it was only built in clay before the project was abandoned.

Ekkkkkk - No matter what you do, a horse is a horse, balutan mo man ng ginto… Hehehe… Peace mga ka-Ovario!

Some “Sforza facts”

• 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

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