Interesting Fencing demonstration Circa 1787

[the ancient one]

The opponents have rather interesting backgrounds.


http://blogs.princeton.edu/graphicar...ndson_one.html

[afriendlycat]

1787 and these people are holding very modern looking foils and using very modern looking stance, including the "woman" is lunging.

[jjefferies]

1787 and these people are holding very modern looking foils and using very modern looking stance, including the "woman" is lunging.

They were modern at the time.

[schlager7]

There are biographies of both fencers in that print. I don't know if the books are still in print, but I still run across them from time to time in used book stores.

The Chevalier Saint-Georges studied under the same fencing master who later taught the young Alexandre Dumas pere. Saint-Georges was easily middle-aged by then, IIRC.

There are recordings of performances of some of his compositions also available via sites like amazon.com.

[the ancient one]

Thanks for pointing that out. I found one:

http://www.amazon.com/BLACK-MOZART-C...4557593&sr=1-2

[schlager7]

A good one that I read (and retain) is Monsieur de Saint-George - Virtuoso, Swordsman, Revolutionary: A Legendary Life Rediscovered by Alain Guede.

It also made a nifty gift for a recreational fencer friend in our club who also plays violin for the Houston Symphony.

[mrbiggs]

1787 and these people are holding very modern looking foils and using very modern looking stance, including the "woman" is lunging.

I'm not sure how modern either stance is, considering the way the weight is shifted, the angle of the torso toward the opponent, the position of the back hand, etc.

[KD5MDK]

The arm is bent during the attack. That's modern enough

[piste off]

Hey, I've got it... What if they were wearing Lexan masks? That would make it more modern and appealing.

Rene

[BlindEagle]

Anyone else find it funny that in the print dispayed in the article it looks like the attack makes it through the parry but, in the original (link) its a successful parry?

Also, i dont know if its just me again but in the original it looks like there is a double image of the blade like you would get in a photo, very cool.

[Goldgar]

Anyone else find it funny that in the print dispayed in the article it looks like the attack makes it through the parry but, in the original (link) its a successful parry?

Also, i dont know if its just me again but in the original it looks like there is a double image of the blade like you would get in a photo, very cool.

You have a keen eye! The print is clearly not an exact copy of the painting -- just look at the people in the background. The change in whether the attack lands or not must be intentional, it seems to me, but I wonder what the reason was -- political? social? dramatic?

[gladius]

I believe there are several versions of this Assault:

1. The one on display at Princeton is according to the article by Victor Marie Picot (1744-1805), after a painting by Charles Jean Robineau (active by 1780, died ca. 1787), The Assaut, or Fencing Match, which took place at Carton House on the 9th of April, 1787, [1789]. Stipple engraving with aquatint. Graphic Arts Rowlandson collection.

2. The one in the Royal Art Collection The fencing-match between the Chevalier de Saint-George and the Chevalier d'Éon c.1787-89, Charles Jean Robineau (late 18th century), probably painted for George IV

3. Given the importance of the event and who was in the audience, there are almost certainly several other versions.

A nice find nonetheless and an interesting article!