Illuminated Handwritten Wedding Menu After Jacques Touchet - 1944

N.p., 1944. 4 parchment leaves (105 x 185 mm) manuscript recto-verso in blue ink and watercolor, threaded with yellow satin ribbon with red wax seal.

Rare appropriation of Touchet's illustrations for a wedding menu during the Occupation.

Set of 4 manuscript menus on parchment created for wedding of Jacques Henrion and A. Marie L'Ecuyer (October 10, 1944). Each menu illustrated with different drawing in ink and watercolor, copied from Jacques Touchet's illustrations for edition of Les Quinze joies du mariage published by René Kieffer in 1930.

Paradoxical satirical illustration: 4 drawings represent unhappy husbands caught in "marriage trap" at different stages: at engagement ("poor little one"), at wedding ("Caught! that's it! ah! the unfortunate!"), 5 years later ("Rage & despair!") and 20 years after ("Resignation"). This ironic iconographic choice – celebrating a wedding with images of conjugal misery – reflects cultivated humor and familiarity with Kieffer's bibliophile edition.

Menu in Old French: "Doulceurs de paÿs de France en de festives accordailles" (Delights of the land of France for festive betrothal) — text in archaic language describing wedding meal: hors d'oeuvres ("eggs on Mouillet canapé with fresh cream"), stuffed turkeys ("trussed in gentle fashion by Dame Moussoi"), foie gras pâtés with truffles ("pâtés with juicy goose livers studded with truffles, haloed with fine strands of curly chicory"), cheeses, cakes, fruits, coffees and liqueurs. "The gracious Host will water these with nectars of ambrosia and Mead worthy of Olympus."

Historical context: Les Quinze joies du mariage, anonymous misogynistic work dating from circa 1430, relates misfortunes of husband caught in marriage trap. René Kieffer's 1930 edition, illustrated by Jacques Touchet (1887-1954), includes 53 original color compositions including 15 hors-texte. Limited edition of 550 copies.

Exceptional social and cultural document: rare testimony of appropriation and dissemination of Touchet's works beyond bibliophile circle, in personal and intimate context. Created during Liberation period (October 1944), this menu reveals how biting humor of Quinze joies could be diverted – with certain irony – to celebrate wartime wedding. Also documents festive culinary traditions maintained despite restrictions of ending Occupation.

Condition: losses to wax seals.