Study of horses

These red chalk sketches focus on the muscular structure and movement of a horse's rear legs and flanks. The drawings range from light, exploratory outlines to more finished studies that use cross-hatching to define the tension and volume of the animal's body.

This work exemplifies the Renaissance integration of art and natural philosophy, where rigorous empirical observation was used to uncover the mechanical and divine laws governing living forms. Leonardo’s anatomical studies reflect his belief in the microcosm, where the structures of the body mirror the larger forces of the macrocosm.