Frederick Miejer was one class act. In an area and age when multi-billionaires are known for furthering their private interests and personal politics he treated his workers well and generously gave back to the community. I performed for him once back in the day. A lot of people treat entertainers as suspect hired help but he treated us as professionals; he paid well, treated us well and the accommodations were outstanding.
Even in latter years he was there to help me with funds for a local HS student performance project. We were just one small group among the thousands he helped in his lifetime.
This horse? Mr. Meijer loved sculpture. He had a dream to realize Leonardo Davinci’s dream. Centuries after the fact he made it come true and this magnificent masterpiece is at the heart of the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Such a small wikipedia for such a giant visionary.
dunelight 
I found an old article that has more about the process of bringing this horse to town. It was a BIG deal back in ’99 and at 3 stories tall it’s still a big magnificent deal today.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/frederik-meijer-gardens-features-leonardo-da-vincis-horse-at-equitana-74774342.html
Beautiful sculpture, Cybele. How blessed you were to have known Mr. Meijer. He sounds like a great guy.
I wouldn’t say I knew him, just blessed to have met him. 🙂
Amazing, really amazing!
Sounds like a lovely man. And what a horse! 😀
I was so drawn by the life in the photo that it felts almost unbelievable that it is a picture of a statue and not a real horse. The lighting in your photo does such a fantastic job of blurring that line, beautiful shot!
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful words.
I’m originally from Michigan, and took my kids back there to visit family. We went to Grand Rapids to see the gardens, but especially Leonardo’s horse. That is an incredible sculpture, but the story makes it more so. Wonderful post, and am really enjoying your blog!
Thank you for your kind words!