Where we find Nuno Oliveira…
...By a nice detour through the Library of Equestrian Arts D. Diogo de Bragança
Who has not heard of the Portuguese equestrian Nuno Oliveira? Born in 1925 in Lisbon and died in total destitution on February 2, 1989 in Perth, Australia, where he taught his art, this extraordinary horseman inspires respect at the mere mention of his name. Who was he to be so highly regarded by and among his peers, yesterday and still today? After finding him on the shelves of the D. Diogo de Bragança Equestrian Library in Lisbon, the World Horse Library has decided, as a preview, by presenting its wishes for the coming year, to allow you to get to know this “character” better during a conference devoted to his life, his work and his legacy, on October 17, in Saumur, on the occasion of the hundredth anniversary of his birth.
The opportunity also to take an interest in his literary work, most of which was published by Crépin Leblond between 1970 and 1980: Réflexions sur l’Art Équestre (1965), Notes d’Équitation Élémentaires… (1972), Principes Classiques de l’Art de Dresser les Chevaux (1983), Souhaits et Souvenirs (1984-1985), Propos d’un Vieil Écuyer aux Jeunes Écuyers (1986), Les Chevaux et leurs Cavaliers (1987) et Propos sur des Croquis Équestres (1990). A work that adds to the sum of the "classics" that he nourished in his youth, which naturally inspired him and which are today, among other places, in the Equestrian Library D. Diogo de Bragança, 8th Marquis of Marialva, located in the grounds of the National Palace of Queluz, so named because it comes from the bibliographic collection, formerly his property.
Associated with the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art (EPAE), the support of his knowledge, this superb collection was acquired in 2014 by the company Parques de Sintra - Monte da Lua, S.A. so that it remains in Portugal.
Today, it is administered by Eduarda Dimas, a passionate librarian: questions?
Where does the collection of the Biblioteca de Arte Equestre D. Diogo de Bragança come from?
As its name suggests, the equestrian art library collection comes from Diogo de Bragança, 8th Marquis of Marialva. He owned a vast collection of works on the subject, which also includes works devoted to bullfighting and hunting, including some of the works he wrote and edited. It is the only Portuguese library dedicated exclusively to equestrian art.
This collection of documents from the Equestrian Art Library was acquired in 2014 by Parques de Sintra-Monte da Lua, with the intention of associating it with the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art (EPAE) and promoting the research and study of equestrian art, thus providing the Palais de Queluz with a unique library.
Who was D. Diogo de Bragança?
Diogo de Bragança, 8th Marquis of Marialva, was born in 1930 and died in 2012. His life was dedicated to culture. Open to everything, he was eclectic in his quest for knowledge. A lawyer and musician by training, with experience as a farmer and stockbreeder, he was a man of great erudition and wisdom. He knew how to combine life and culture and one of his greatest interests - the horse and equestrian art - resulted in the creation of a vast personal library, particularly on equestrian art. He was an accomplished horseman who partially renewed the equestrian art in Portugal. He was also the author of several publications on the subject, essential to our knowledge of this art to which he devoted his entire life.
Where does his passion for equestrianism come from?
He was a fixture at equestrian and bullfighting gatherings in Lisbon, following in the footsteps of his ancestor, Pedro José de Menezes Noronha Coutinho, 4th Marquis of Marialva and chief steward of the kingdom. His passion for horse riding was part of the family tradition, as he was also the administrator of one of Portugal's largest fortified estates (Torre Bela), owned by the family since the 17th century.
Who were his equestrian masters?
His main master was Nuno de Oliveira (1925-1989), one of the emblematic figures of Portuguese equestrian culture, internationally recognised as the last great master of classical riding. Nuno de Oliveira said that Diogo de Bragança was one of his best pupils, considering him to be one of the rare riders capable of tackling the difficulties of the equestrian art with the greatest finesse.
What about his pupils?
His pupils include José O'Neill, João Pedro Rodrigues, Joanna Garani, Francisco Bessa de Carvalho and João Gouveia.
Why did the Palais de Queluz acquire this private library?
In 2012, the management of Queluz Palace and its gardens, as well as the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art (EPAE), which is based there, were entrusted to the administration of Parques de Sintra-Monte da Lua.
The Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, founded in 1979 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Guilherme Borba and João Costa Ferreira, promoted the teaching, practice, preservation and dissemination of traditional Portuguese equestrian art. The School followed the model of the Picaria Real, the equestrian academy of the Portuguese court in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Until 1996, the school was based at the Sociedade Hípica Portuguesa in Lisbon, but since then it has been located in the gardens of the Queluz Palace.
It is inspired by the way horses and riders were trained and presented, right down to the costumes, harnesses and exercises. In 1748, King João V founded the Haras d'Alter Real to supply the royal household and its equestrian academy with horses.
In 2015, Parques de Sintra-Monte da Lua developed the Diogo de Bragança, 8th Marquis of Marialva Equestrian Art Library to promote the Lusitano horse and its breeding, as well as the study of Portuguese equestrian culture and tradition and the regular training of riders.
Is the library open to the public?
The Diogo de Bragança Equestrian Art Library is open to the public on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 9.30am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm, by appointment.
How many books are on the library shelves?
The library currently has around 1,500 titles, both printed and manuscript, some of which are rare. The library also has around 200 framed engravings, drawings and prints.
It has been enriched by new acquisitions and donations of specialist works.
How are they referenced and classified?
All publications are catalogued and classified according to international rules (UNIMARC). They are classified by specific equestrian art subjects using a sequential numerical organisation. The classification used is the Universal Decimal Classification.
What are the most outstanding works?
The most outstanding works in the collection are the Portuguese treatises on classical equitation from the 17th and 18th centuries:
-ANDRADE, António Galvão de, [fl.1613 ? ]-1689
Art de la chevalerie de genette and estardiota, bon primor de ferrar & alveitaria : divisée en trois traités... / composed by Antonio Galvam d'Andrade. - Lisboa: na officina de Joam da Costa, 1678. - 16] 605 [i.e. 607] p. : il. ; in 2o(30cm). - With all necessary permits. - F. anteriorface com retr. grav. do aut. with inscription: ‘Antonio Galvão Dandrade âge son LXV’. - Engraving with escutcheon of the royal arms of Portugal above the foot of print; 20 eng. butchery-sugar, 15 of f. double assin. ‘CBF’ [Clemente Bilingue fecit] and “FDI” [Felix a Costa]. - With vinh. ‘ornate capitular letter. - Errors of f. - Entire enc. in leather, engraved with dry irons, lomb. of 5 nerves engraved with gilt irons. - Pert: ‘D. Diogo de Bragança’ (Ex-Libris with des. da aut. by Luis Ferros and engraving by António Pais Ferreira). - Inocêncio 1,147. - Samodães 1,1342
-ANDRADE, Manuel Carlos de
Light of liberality and noble art of cavalry, offered to Mr D. João Principe do Brazil / by Manoel Carlos de Andrade. - Lisbon: na Régia Officina Typografica, 1790. - XXVI, 454 p. il. ; in 2o (35 cm). - With ded. to D. João, Prince of Brazil. - Front. with retr. of D. João VI . - 93 engrav. p&b, assin. mostly by ‘Silva’ (Joaquim Carneiro da Silva), ‘Frois’ (Gaspar Fróis Machado) and ‘Manuel Alegre’ with several repres. in which appear King D. José I, Prince D. João and the 4th Marquis of Marialva, Estribeiro-Mor do Reino, in high school exercises. - Framed in leather, lomb. engraved with gilt irons. - Pert: ‘João de Portvgal Trigveiros Daragão’ (Ex-Libris). - Pert: ‘D. Diogo de Bragança’ (Ex-Libris with des. da aut. by Luis Ferros and engraving by António Pais Ferreira). - Inocêncio 5, 386
-GALEGO, Pedro
Traité de la genette, ordonné des réponses [sic], que hu caualeiro de muita experiência a donné à 24 questions, qu'un certain curieux lui a proposée / Pedro Galego. - Lisbon] : by Pedro Craesbeeck Impressor del Rey, 1629. - 8], 69, [3]f. ; in 8o (14 cm). - Name of aut. second bibliography. - Ded.:’ To His Excellency Dom João II. Duke of Barcelos’. - With licence and expenses. - In leather, with double border fillet and lead, engraved with gilt irons. - Notes ms in the last f. with considerations on the dentition of the horse and the remedy for the malaise of horses. - Pert: ‘António R. Passos’ (assin.). - Pert: ‘D. Diogo de Bragança’ (Ex-Libris with da aut. by Luis Ferros and engraving by António Pais Ferreira). - Barbosa Machado 3, 583. - Innocent 6, 410
- PACHECO, Francisco Pinto
Treatise on the cavalry of the genet with the doctrine of the best authors. Dedicated to the Serenissimo Principe de Portugal Dom Pedro Nosso Senhor / pello Capitão Francisco Pinto Pacheco Chevalier fidalgo de la Maison de S. Altesse, & professo da Ordem de Christo. - Lisbon : na officina de Joam da Costa, 1670 - [18], 210 p. : il. ; 4o (21cm). - With licence and costs. - With retr. assin. A.P.’. - Na p. de tít. xilogr. with blazon of the royal arms of Portugal. - Xilogr. with repres. of horses on p. 32, 58, 102, 103,161,179 and 206. - Tarjas e vinh. xilogr. - Enc. in parchment. - With ms. notes. - F. with tears, some offensive to text. - Pert: ‘Joam da Costa Carvalho’ (assin. na p. de tít.). - Barbosa Machado 2, 479. - Inocêncio 3, 37. - Contains: ‘Art and skill of tourear’. - P.181-210
- REGO, António Pereira, 1629-1692
Instruct yourself in clutch chivalry / by Antonio Pereyra Rego. - Coimbra : in the Off. of Joseph Ferreyra, 1679. - [18], 424, [6]p. 1 desdobr. engraving ; 21 cm. - 2 works by the same author with pag. followed. - With all necessary permits’. - Engraving of a horse. - With vinh. , tartan, ornate capitular letter, lamp-ends. - Parchment inked. - With ms. notes. - Pert: ‘D. Manuel de Bragança’, local e d. “Lisbon, 1944” (ass. na p. de tít.). - Pert: ‘D. Diogo de Bragança’ (Ex-Libris with des. da aut. de Luis Ferros and grav. de António Pais Ferreira). - Innocent 1, 231. - Contains: Summary of the alveitis in which one teaches the way of knowing the tinnitus, & lesions of the knights. - 1679. - P.179-424
Have these exceptional works been digitised?
Two of these works, one by Manuel Carlos de Andrade (listing B-216) and the other by António Galvão de Andrade (listing B-21), are digitised in international and Portuguese libraries respectively.
How does the library communicate?
The Equestrian Art Library has an online catalogue at.
The Equestrian Art Library's communication strategy also includes the dissemination of short news items on Parques de Sintra-Monte da Lua's social networks (company website, Facebook and Instagram), the thematic bibliographic exhibitions planned for 2025 and the ‘Encounters in the National Palaces’ series of conferences.
The aim of the Equestrian Art Library's ‘Encounters in the National Palaces’ was to raise awareness of what makes it unique, namely the main authors and reference works on European equestrian art, and to highlight elements of Portugal's artistic equestrian identity. This initiative by Parques de Sintra-Monte da Lua aims to provide new approaches to heritage and promote contact between the public and specialists in fields such as history, museology, architecture, science and art.
What are the library's next events?
The Equestrian Art Library has three bibliographic exhibitions planned for 2024, as part of the ‘The Horse at Court’ project, the theme chosen by ARRE - the Association of European Royal Residences. The link is the landmark work on equestrian art “Luz da liberal e nobre arte de cavalaria” by Manuel Carlos de Andrade and his mentor the Marquis of Marialva.
What do you expect from the partnership with the World Equestrian Library?
Greater promotion and international dissemination of the Equestrian Art Library of Diogo de Bragança, 8th Marquis of Marialva, and the digitisation of certain emblematic works from the collection, such as some of the Portuguese treatises on classical equitation from the 17th and 18th centuries mentioned above.
Xavier Libbrecht
