This engraving shows William Cavendish, first Duke of Newcastle performing a Capriole on the winged horse Pegasus. He is surrounded by eleven horses, all sitting up and classical gods look down on him from the clouds.
The print is inscribed "Abr. � Diepenbeke delineavit (Abraham van Diepenbeeck the artist) et Pet. Clouwet sculpsit." (Peeter Clouwet, the engraver) and numbered 4 in the lower right corner.
The lower left corner has been torn off, otherwise it is in quite good condition for its age with an original central fold line and some old slightly yellowed tape marks on the lower central fold and the right side. It has been mounted in cream card and has a protective plastic wrapping.
William Cavendish (1592-1676) was an English aristocrat who fought as a royalist general during the English Civil War, he spent the duration of the commonwealth in Europe before returning to England at the restoration of Charles II. During his exile in Europe he published 'La Methode et Invention nouvelle de Dresser les Chevaux' an early study on equitation, training and dressage. There was a later English edition of the book in 1743.
Dimensions : Print measures 20¼" (51.5cm) x 15¼" (39cm) Mount measures 26⅜" (67cm ) x 21¾" (55cm)
