A Unique Opportunity for Art Collectors
Las Vegas, Nov. 19, 2024 – An extraordinary offering for art collectors has arisen with the sale of a bronze cast from the only existing sculpture by the legendary artist Leonardo da Vinci. The artwork, named “Horse and Rider,” is available for an impressive price of $100 million, with the transaction being facilitated by renowned art dealer Art Encounter, based in Las Vegas.
“Horse and Rider” is a bronze cast derived from a beeswax scale model created by da Vinci in the early 1500s. This model features the artist’s friend and patron, Charles d’Amboise, who served as the French governor of Milan, portrayed on horseback. Although the project was intended to evolve into a life-sized bronze monument, it remained unfinished following d’Amboise’s death in 1511.
The provenance of this remarkable piece has been verified through extensive academic and scientific inquiry. The Oxford University Research Laboratory for Archaeology and History confirmed its period and origin, while Dr. Carlo Pedretti—an esteemed authority on Leonardo—affirmed that the work is indeed a creation of da Vinci.
The sale is overseen by Brett Maly, President of Art Encounter, who is a well-respected expert in fine art. He noted, “The sculpture was cast by American Fine Arts Foundry in 2012, utilizing wax from a latex mold of Leonardo’s original. The attention to detail is remarkable.”
Significant features of the sculpture include the artist’s initials, “LV,” identified by Professor Ernesto Solari, a recognized expert in Leonardo studies, along with fingerprints believed to be those of da Vinci himself. Dr. Pedretti corroborated that “all details of the wax model are reflected in the bronze.”
Maly expressed his confidence in the work’s authenticity, stating, “Having closely inspected the art and dedicated years to researching its history, I am fully convinced of its value and legitimacy.”
Scott Ferguson, Executive Director of Art Encounter, highlighted the sculpture’s intriguing history, noting its journey spanning 500 years across Italy, Switzerland, England, and finally to America. “It’s astonishing that Leonardo’s original beeswax model has stood the test of time, allowing us to create this bronze cast.”
Currently, “Horse and Rider” is stored in a vault and can only be viewed by appointment. Art historians and scholars specializing in the Renaissance and Leonardo’s works are encouraged to examine the piece.
For more details about the sculpture’s rich history, videos, and additional information, interested parties can visit www.DavinciHorseandRider.com.
As a dedicated fine art service provider, Art Encounter has been a trusted resource in Las Vegas since its inception in 1992, dealing with notable artists such as Picasso, Warhol, Cézanne, and Dalí.
This unprecedented opportunity not only represents a chance to own a significant piece of art history but also showcases the enduring legacy of one of history’s greatest artists. The sale of “Horse and Rider” serves as a reminder of the profound impact of art on culture and history, offering hope that such treasures can continue to inspire future generations of artists and collectors alike.