About this sheet
Baroque Dressage Horse Training Scene, Georg Simon Winter, Hand Colored 1678
This original hand-colored copperplate engraving depicts an advanced dressage exercise from one of the most important equestrian publications of the seventeenth century. The scene shows a finely trained chestnut horse performing a highly collected movement under the guidance of both rider and ground trainer. Such exercises formed a central part of the education of riding horses in the aristocratic riding schools of Baroque Europe, where horsemanship was regarded as both a practical skill and a refined art.
The print originates from Bellerophon sive Eques Peritus (The Skilled Horseman), published in Nuremberg in 1678 by Georg Simon Winter von Adlersflügel (1629–1701). Winter served as riding master, stud manager, and stable master at several German princely courts as well as at the Danish royal court. His publications rank among the most influential equestrian and veterinary works of the seventeenth century and remain important references in the history of classical horsemanship.
Numbered 43 at the top, this plate belongs to Winter's celebrated series of riding-school illustrations. The engravings document the sophisticated training methods employed in Europe's noble riding academies and provide a fascinating visual record of the origins of modern dressage. The horse is depicted with remarkable elegance and collection, while the rider maintains a poised seat and the trainer assists from the ground with a training line. A mountainous landscape and distant architectural ruins complete the composition and add considerable decorative appeal.
The original hand coloring enhances the richness of the scene and highlights the horse, costume, and tack. More than an instructional illustration, the engraving stands as a beautiful example of Baroque printmaking and the culture of European court riding schools during the seventeenth century.
An excellent acquisition for collectors of equestrian art, dressage history, sporting prints, veterinary history, and Baroque engravings.
Authenticity and Display Notice:
This offering is for an original seventeenth-century hand-colored copperplate engraving published in 1678, not a reproduction, restrike, or modern copy. Any framed images or room-setting visualizations shown with this listing are intended solely as examples of possible presentation and decorative inspiration. The engraving is sold unframed unless otherwise stated, and framed images may not accurately represent the print's exact scale.
Condition Report:
Good condition for its age. Attractive original hand coloring. Light age toning and minor scattered foxing consistent with seventeenth-century paper. Please review all photographs carefully for the most accurate assessment of condition.
Framing Tips:
This engraving displays beautifully in a dark walnut, ebonized, or gilt frame with an ivory museum mat. Such framing enhances both the warm coloring and the elegant Baroque character of the composition.
