Engraving - Fencing - Parry And Riposte In Quarte - 18th Century

Original steel engraving, made with a burin on watermarked laid paper. Engraver: Robert Bénard (France, born in 1734 – ?), French engraver of the 18th century. This engraving represents two fencers in full action, executing a parry followed by a riposte in the position known as quarte. On the left, a man in an ochre and green suit, leg bent back, sword arm outstretched, has just parried an attack with his rapier. On the right, his opponent dressed in red and blue, on guard, makes a direct attack, his right arm stretched towards his opponent's torso. Both opponents are represented without masks, which is typical of pedagogical representations of the 18th century, more focused on aesthetics and demonstration than safety. We observe the feathered hat fallen to the ground, an indication of the movement and realism of the action. Beautiful hand-painted watercolor colors. Dimensions: Frame: Height. 24 cm – Length. 29 cm - Width: 4 cm, Condition(s) - PERFECT CONDITION, Period: 18th century, Frame: current mounting, composed of a red net, a gold bevel, and a light blue wild silk marie-louise, highlighted with a patinated gold net. The whole is encircled by a wooden rod with water gilding in aged gold.