NEWCASTLE, William Cavendish, Duke of (1592-1676) and Gaspard de SAUNIER

Les renes dans la main; tant au passage, que sur les voltes terre a terre tant la teste au pilier que la croupe au pilier

[Pl. 21] London: J. Brindley, 1743. Copper engraving after Abraham van Diepenbeeck. Very good condition apart from some overall light foxing and a 1/2" tear along the base of the central crease. Sheet size: 18 1/4 x 23 inches. Plate mark: 15 3/8 x 20 3/8 inches.

A fine plate from 'A General System of Horsemanship in All Its Branches', Cavendish's extraordinary didactic work on equestrian dressage.

An affluent politician, soldier, and devoted Royalist, William Cavendish fought for Charles I during the English Civil War. He established a riding school in Antwerp with several Barbary horses obtained in Paris, and in 1657, published his revolutionary and influential work on equestrian training techniques, 'La Methode et Invention nouvelle de Dresser les Chevaux'. An English edition was published in 1743 as 'A General System Of Horsemanship In All Its Branches', with beautiful illustrations of Cavendish skillfully training and riding his horses at his Antwerp ménage and his various English estates like Bolsover Castle and Welbeck Abbey.

Cf. Brunet I.1700; cf. Mellon Books on the Horse and Horsemanship p. 49; cf. Mennessier de la Lance II, p. 250; cf. Nissen ZBI 849.

Item #10329

Price: $325.00