L’Apprenti Cavalier (The novice Cavalryman)

Lithograph, signed and dated lower right in the image ‘H. Vernet 1819’.

The scene depicts a cavalryman trying to ride a refractory mule, and another soldier whipping the animal with a branch. 

Horace Vernet (1789 - 1863), painter, draughtsman and lithographer; son of Carle Vernet, grandson of Joseph Vernet and of Moreau. Specialised in military subjects, especially battle scenes and studies of soldiers, also produced portraits, subjects from his visit to Italy and North Africa and the Middle East, horses. Produced book illustrations and in his earlier career supplied numerous designs for fashion plates to the publisher Le Mésangère (see Kleinert p.339). These included the 'Bon Genre', 'Incroyables et Merveilleuses', the 'Annuaire des Modes', and 'Costumes de divers pays'. 

Literature

Beraldi, Les Graveurs du dix-neuvième siècle, 80.