A Rare Opportunity for Art Collectors: Leonardo da Vinci Sculpture Cast for Sale
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 19, 2024 – An exceptional opportunity has emerged for art collectors with the announcement that a bronze cast of the only sculpture known to exist by revered artist Leonardo da Vinci is now available for sale. The sculpture, known as Horse and Rider, is being offered through Art encounter, a prominent art dealer and gallery based in Las Vegas, with a selling price set at an eye-popping $100 million.
The Horse and Rider sculpture is believed to be based on a small-scale model created by da Vinci in the early 1500s, depicting his close friend and benefactor Charles d’Amboise, who served as the governor of Milan at the time. While da Vinci intended for this model to eventually be transformed into a life-sized bronze monument, the project was left unfinished due to d’Amboise’s untimely death in 1511.
This remarkable piece has a compelling history, with its true provenance established through extensive academic and scientific scrutiny over the years. The Oxford University Research Laboratory for Archaeology and History confirmed its origins through rigorous testing of samples, while Dr. Carlo Pedretti, a leading authority on Leonardo da Vinci, also verified that the work indeed bears da Vinci’s artistic touch.
Curated by Brett Maly, President of Art encounter and a respected fine art expert, the sculpture was cast in 2012 by American Fine Arts Foundry, utilizing a wax mold derived from the original model. Maly noted, “The detail is extraordinary,” emphasizing the authenticity of the work, which includes unique identifiers such as the artist’s initials, “LV,” and fingerprints believed to belong to Leonardo himself.
Scott Ferguson, Executive Director of Art encounter, highlighted the sculpture’s fascinating journey over the last 500 years, spanning various countries and cultures. “It’s a miracle Leonardo’s beeswax original survived long enough to be realized in bronze. We feel privileged to represent such a historic piece.”
Currently, Horse and Rider is stored in a secure vault and is available for viewing by appointment only. Art historians and scholars focused on the Renaissance and Leonardo’s works are particularly encouraged to examine this significant artifact.
For additional information, including a comprehensive history of the piece, viewers can visit the website www.DavinciHorseandRider.com.
Art encounter, founded by Rod Maly and Brett Maly in 1992, has built a reputation in Las Vegas as a leading resource for fine art services, providing expertise in art sales, valuation, and authentication for over three decades.
This sale presents an extraordinary chance for collectors and art enthusiasts alike, reminding us of the enduring legacy of Leonardo da Vinci and the masterpieces he inspired. It is a testament to the timeless appeal of the Renaissance and the ongoing fascination it holds in the contemporary art world.