Virtue... Marriage... Praises... 18th Century Miniatures

Somewhere in Flanders, on an unspecified date in the 18th century, the marriage of Lady Joanna Fraeys to Sir Franciscus Varenbergh was celebrated with song. Oh, they were not poor people when reading the precious laid paper, with its impeccable bistre calligraphy detailing the 30 verses of marriage... But we can also imagine the decor of these people's lives by observing the quality and finesse painted silk. This praise holder is a folder covered in silk decorated with two medallions. On the back, Pegasus leaps from a cliff while a haloed deity stops playing the lyre when he receives a visit from an angel carrying a torch in one hand and two hearts, on fire, chained one to another. the other in the other hand. . This delicate miniature is surrounded by a golden scroll. On the back of the notebook, an identical frame surrounds a second scene where three characters seem to have come out of a theatrical comedy. Translation of the caption: Al wat ik had gedrukt was schier door schrik mislukt: Everything I had printed had failed, perhaps because of fear (translation subject to reservation). Surprisingly, this gentleman wearing his cocked hat seems to frighten the young lady. A book, placed on a strip of printed fabric, serves as support. The third, more comical character, is wearing a nightcap, he is dressed in a bathrobe, he looks at the two actors while he tries to open the door to escape. A few stanzas enlighten us: the character on the lyre is Cupid who sang, with his instrument, the praises of this couple “Vierd dit paer Zingd te gaer Die Cupido heeft doorschoten Speeld op d'harp. Zijt verblijd Dat m'hun bij Lucin leijd » Let's celebrate this father Sing very cheerfully This Cupid has crossed Played the harp. I am delighted that I lived with Lucina » So, we formalize the union and the father of the young lady experiences a melodrama... I leave it to you to try the other translations... The closing ribbons have disappeared and some traces of The use accredits the experience of this object which remains a museum.