BOSSE Abraham (1602 - 1676) - "The Marriage... - Lot 46 - Eric Caudron

BOSSE Abraham (1602 - 1676) - "The Marriage of the Queen of Poland - Observed ceremony of the marriage contract passed in Fontainebleau in the presence of their Majesties between Vladislaus IIII of the name King of Poland and Sweden [...] on the one hand, and Louie Marie de Gonzague, princess of Mantoue and Nevers, on the other hand, the 25th day of September 1645". 1645. Original etching. Ref: Blum, n°422. I.F.F XVIIth, n°1223. Proof of the 2nd state on 2, on laid paper. "Louise-Marie de Gonzague, daughter of Charles I, duke of Mantua, and of Catherine of Lorraine, married in 1645 the king of Poland Vladislas IV. This was a considerable social event, which is well reflected in Bosse's print, one of the most ambitious and successful of his work. The caption, which is very detailed, describes quite well the image of the scene of the signing of the marriage contract, which took place in Fontainebleau on September 26, 1645, as described in his Memoirs (1656) by the famous print collector Michel de Marolles, who was in love with the beautiful Marie de Gonzague. The scene takes place in the king's bedroom, which is divided into two parts. In the royal part, inside the balustrade, we recognize the queen mother Anne of Austria, who holds by the hand her youngest son, Philippe, duke of Anjou, while the young Louis XIV leans proudly on his cane. Behind the queen, Count Loménie de Brienne, Secretary of State, reads aloud the contract, to which the future Queen of Poland listens respectfully accompanied by Gerhard Denhof, Count Palatine of Pomerania, dressed in French style, in the presence also of Secretary of State Guénégaud. On the other side of the balustrade, a crowd of people from the court, among whom Cardinal Mazarin and Cardinal Alessandro Bicchi, can be seen. The other lords, although named in the legend, are difficult to identify" (Source: BNF). 27,1 x 32,7 cm. Condition A (cut at the limit of the first square line, beautiful impression).