An American’s Tall Tribute to Da Vinci Unveiled in Italy

A massive, American-made bronze warhorse that was inspired by a never-completed project of Leonardo da Vinci was unveiled Friday in Milan, making reality of the dream of two men who died half a millennium apart.

Blue and white balloons lifted the sheet covering the 24-foot-tall horse, drawing a standing ovation from the Americans and Italians assembled in a shady park being created across from a Milan horse track.

“A dream realized, a friendship strengthened and a tribute to Leonardo da Vinci,” Milan Mayor Gabriele Albertini declared, accepting the gift in the name of his city and the Italian people.

The statue’s creation was overseen by Charles C. Dent, an airline pilot and art lover who was captivated by a 1977 National Geographic article on Da Vinci’s horse that never was.

Dent, from Allentown, Pa., devoted the last years of his life working to bring the horse into being. He died in 1994 trusting that his family would see the project through.

“I’m sure Charlie is smiling down, looking at the celebrations,” said Charles W. Dent, his nephew.

The dedication came 500 years to the month after war forced Da Vinci to abandon Milan and his dream project--building the world’s largest statue of a horse.

Da Vinci had seen the work as securing his standing as a master of both painting and sculpture. Legend says he cried on his deathbed in 1519 at never achieving it.

A descendant of Duke of Milan Ludovico Sforza, the 15th century nobleman who commissioned the horse, was also in attendance at Friday’s ceremony.

Nostrils flared, steps high, the fierce stallion dominates the gated square at Milan’s San Siro.

“It’s incredible to think something like this is a gift,” said Fiammetta Roselli-Delturco of Fiesole, Italy, marveling at the more than two-story-high warhorse.

The sculpture is the work of sculptor Nina Akamu, who oversaw its casting in New York. All copies of Da Vinci’s original plans for the statue have been lost, and Akamu said the modern version is inspired by Da Vinci’s vision.

Italians have been a little incredulous throughout the project, not sure if Americans would get it done, and not sure why, the Dent family says.

“The answer is our respect for your great history,” a brother-in-law of Dent, Roger Enloe, said at the dedication. “We respect you, we admire you, and in our best moments, and yours, we love you.”

Milan is celebrating the unveiling with days of fireworks, concerts, skydiving shows and balloon ascensions.