This is an excellent series of mixed method prints on equestrian subjects. It is believed this work was published in 1811 and according to Brunet was issued in twelve parts. Examples of the work are very rare and the plate count varies. This example bear 36 plates, other recorded examples have up to 60 and as such is not considered to be incomplete. Only three examples are recorded in auction on the ABPC in 35 years. The largest compliment I could trace in auction was 54 plates in 1968. Thiébaud states ‘This album is infinitely rare, above all in the colored state, and is one of the most beautiful productions of Carle and Horace Vernet. As the title indicates, these prints exist in black on papier velin and in colors on papier satiné. It is almost impossible to find a complete set in colors today.’

Carle Vernet (Antoine Charles Horace Vernet) (1758-1836) was born in Bordeaux in 1758 and was the son of the celebrated marine painter Joseph Vernet. Carle Vernet inherited his father’s talents and was especially talented at painting horses. After his sister was executed by guillotine during the French Revolution he gave up painting for a while. By the 1790s he was drawing scenes of Napoleon’s campaign. Napoleon even awarded him the Legion of Honour. His son Horace Vernet (1789-1863) also became a noted painter.

Provenance: Oliver Belmont (1858-1908), American socialite and U.S. Representative from New York (bookplate); Alfred Barmore Maclay (bookplate; purchased at his sale 11 April 1945); bookplate of the Joel Spitz Collection, acquired at his sale Christies London 27 May 2015 lot 198. Benezit; Brunet V p. 1144; Mellon/Podeschi 99; Thiébaud (1934) ‘Bibliographie des ouvrages français sur la chasse’ 928-929.