Earliest depiction of a lady sitting astride the horse

Pons-d'Hostun, L[ouis] H[enri]. L'écuyer des dames, ou lettres sur l'équitation.

€ 7,500.00

First edition of this manual of riding instruction for ladies. The fine engravings by the young Horace Vernet (1789-1863), later the 19th century's foremost master of equestrian illustration, include the earliest depiction of a lady sitting astride the horse. A second edition was published in 1817. The author, Louis Henri II, marquis de Pons d'Hostun (1750-1820?), was inspired by the works of Newcastle and La Guérinière. Exceedingly rare; a sumptuously bound copy.