Antique Viennese Hand-Coloured Engraving circa 1796 by Robert von Spalart. Rare Medieval Inspired Print

This rare engraving circa 1796 is from Robert Von Spalart’s “Historical Picture of the Costumes of the Principal People of Antiquity and of the Middle Ages”, and depicts two knights jousting at a tourney. One of then has been unhorsed and has just struck his opponent in the face with a dagger. A very gripping scene.

Robert von Spalart (died 1808) was chief of protocol at the Royal and Imperial Court of Vienna and co-editor of the Viennese Critical Theatre Journal. (Elke Gaugele ed., Fashion Knowledge, 2022.) He died in 1808, leaving editors Jakob Kaiserer and Leopold Ziegelhauser to finish three parts of Volumes 1 and 2. The proposed third volume on Neuern Zeiten (modern) costume was never started.

Immensely rare and highly collectible, von Spalart’s works rarely come up for auction, and in particular prints circa this time period featuring romantic depictions of medieval knighthood are highly collectible.

We have another Spalart engraving with similar subject matter here.

Price marked at $1400 AUD.


Framed Measurements: 23 by 16.5cm
Very good antique condition. Has been professionally reframed using conservation glass.