Van Blarenberghe, Louis-Nicolas Plate 14

Louis-Nicolas Van Blarenberghe.  Plate 14. 

From Comte de Drummond de Melfort's Trait sur la Cavalerie.  Paris: Guillaume Desprez, 1776.  15 3/4 x 66 (image).  Engraving by G. B. le Villain.  With folds as issued.  Two prints joined as one.  Very good condition.  

A large, detailed image from a series of prints illustrating standard formations and uses of cavalry issued for the French Royal Army at the time of the American Revolution.  Much has been made of eighteenth century naval warfare in which opposing fleets rigidly followed prescribed maneuvers.  The result was maximum parade and minimum battle, and the admiral who broke from tradition would be vigorously punished.  A similar pattern existed for the army.  Fashion, grace of movement, and set patterns were the order of the day for cavalry.  These prints illustrate how large bodies of cavalry could be controlled by one order being given and the entire contingent moving uniformly.  At a time when armies were getting much larger and fire power was increasing, this was a way for commanders to control troop movements once the fighting began.  These are lovely prints featuring graceful horses and riders, but with a serious purpose in history.