Study of a Sculpture of a Horse

This drawing depicts a horse in a powerful rearing pose with its mouth open, executed in red chalk. Transversal measurement lines and alphanumeric notations are layered over the body to document its exact proportions. The horse is shown atop a fragmentary pedestal, indicating it is a study of an existing classical sculpture rather than a live model.

This work demonstrates the Renaissance application of mathematical proportion to the study of nature and antiquity, a central tenet of natural philosophy. It reflects the humanist effort to rediscover the 'canon' of ideal form by empirical measurement of ancient ruins, bridging the gap between artistic practice and scientific inquiry.