19th Century Engraving of The Berber Horse Race in Piazza Del Popolo, Rome

This engraving was first published in London by Messors J. & R. Jennings, 62 Cheapside, on January 1st 1860 and is taken from the important and famous painting by the English artist Thomas Jones Barker, 1813-1882. The departure of the “Berber” horse race which closed, together with the “moccoletti” festival, the period of the Roman Carnival. The departure or “mossa” took place in Piazza del Popolo, Rome, where boxes were erected for the spectators for the occasion. At the agreed signal, the horses excited by the clamour and tormented by sharp metal spikes hanging along their sides, rushed towards the mouth of the Corso and galloped along it, until they reached Piazza Venezia, where they ended up stopping against a large sheet to be “recovered”. The view in this picture portrays the moment of departure in Piazza del Popolo, Rome, where the horses are about to leave. The 19c engraving has its original frame and glass but later mount.