The Great Gentleman's Ride

The Great Gentleman's Ride  is a fine etching, hand-watercolored, realized by the engraver  Gianfrancesco Pivati .

This original print, representing an Oriental gentleman riding in front of an adoring crowd , is from the series  New Scientific and Curious Dictionary concerning the Sacred and the  Profane , Tome VIII, Plate XVIII, published by Benedetto Milocco in Venice in 1746-1751, concerning the  Uses and Costumes, Religious Rites of people .

Perfect conditions, including passepartout (49 x 34 cm).

Gianfrancesco Pivati

Pivati's  New Dictionary  is a bold contribution to Italian cultural debate in the mid-18th century. The wide, useful, and interesting knowledge it contains is often taken from Hebrew, Greek, Latin, French, Spanish and English, as well as Italian. “ The subjects treated are well researched and generally presented in a simple, direct style (…) ”. Pivati’s liberal voice was out of the chorus in the context of the rigid conformity predominating throughout the Italian peninsula. “ He appears to be committed to Reason and Science as opposed to simple Faith, but he tries to avoid any direct challenge to the dogmatic teachings of the Church ”.

Reference : Silvano Garafalo, in: Frank Kafker, Notable Encyclopedias, Oxford 1981.