Gaspar Fróis Machado, Dressage and Piaffe, 1790, Engraving, Set of 3

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Portuguese Dressage & Piaffe Engravings — Classical Horsemanship, 1790 This elegant set of three antique copperplate engravings originates from the … Read more Portuguese Dressage & Piaffe Engravings — Classical Horsemanship, 1790 This elegant set of three antique copperplate engravings originates from the celebrated Portuguese equestrian treatise Luz da Liberal, e Nobre Arte da Cavallaria by Manoel Carlos de Andrade, published in Lisbon in 1790. Considered the first major Portuguese work devoted to the refined art of horsemanship, the publication documents the disciplined riding traditions of Iberian cavalry academies and noble riding schools during the late eighteenth century. The engravings depict a series of sophisticated classical riding exercises performed by expertly trained horses under saddle. The scenes include collected dressage movements, piaffe training near pillars, and controlled maneuvers executed with remarkable balance and elegance. Each rider is shown in formal eighteenth-century riding attire, reinforcing the aristocratic and military context of the work. The engravings combine technical riding instruction with refined Enlightenment-era draftsmanship, creating compositions that are both instructional and highly decorative. The plates were designed by Joachim Carneiro da Silva and engraved by artists including Gaspar Fróis Machado and Martini, among the finest engravers active in late eighteenth-century Portugal. Published by the Regia Officina Typografica in Lisbon and dedicated to Dom João, Prince of Brazil — later King João VI of Portugal — the work reflects the prestige associated with royal equestrian culture and the influence of Iberian baroque riding traditions. The restrained monochrome aesthetic gives the engravings a refined architectural quality that works exceptionally well in contemporary interiors. The clean compositions, elegant line work, and balanced spacing between horse and rider create a sophisticated visual harmony that appeals equally to collectors of sporting art and interior designers seeking classical decorative material. Sets from Luz da Liberal, e Nobre Arte da Cavallaria are increasingly sought after for their rarity, historical significance, and strong decorative impact. Displayed together as a triptych, these engravings make a striking presentation in libraries, gentleman’s studies, equestrian interiors, country houses, riding clubs, or refined contemporary spaces inspired by classical European design. These are original 18th-century copperplate engravings printed in Lisbon in 1790, not modern reproductions. Any framed images shown are for presentation purposes only. The prints are supplied unframed. Condition: Good overall condition with age-related toning, occasional foxing, and minor marginal wear. Strong impressions with visible plate marks and crisp engraving detail throughout. Displays exceptionally well in matching dark walnut, ebonized, or museum black frames paired with wide ivory or parchment-toned mats. Particularly effective when hung as a horizontal gallery arrangement. Technique: Copperplate engravings Maker: Gaspar Fróis Machado and Martini after Joachim Carneiro da Silva, Lisbon, 1790 See less