Horse's Head - by Leonardo da Vinci

This vigorous pen-and-ink drawing of a horse's head, dated c. 1503 - 04, gives an idea of the emotional power which might have been shown in the great mural that Leonardo was commissioned to do for the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. This was a depiction of the Battle of Anghiari, which the Florentines wanted on one wall of a hall in their main government building, with a similar Michelangelo's painting the Battle of Cascina opposite. Because of political changes in the governing body of Florence and calls from Milan and Rome for the services of the two artists, the project was begun, but never finished by either of them. This painting of a battle scene would have been quite unlike anything produced before because of its unprecedented expression of the confusion and ferocity of conflict.

All the drawings still in existence for this work show a powerful, moving tableau of rearing horses and shouting warriors. This passionate charge was called 'beastly madness' by Leonardo, and he represented this in his drawings.