Illuminated Late 18th Century - Golden Frame With Gold Leaf

Sublime illumination from the end of the 18th century.
It is a sonnet which was composed, drawn and written by an elderly person, since his dedication mentions his seventy-fifth year, precisely dated by the author's care in 1771.

Dimensions: H: 54 x W: 42cm

The frame which is original has been fully restored, then fully gilded with gold leaf, presenting a double patina. We would like to thank the HB workshop and Henda Bayoudh for the care taken in this exceptional work which has spanned more than two centuries.

The sonnet is certainly the most widely used fixed form of poetry. The recipes for the sonnet vary from time to time and each poet tries to add his own personal touch. Made up of fourteen lines, originally from the Decasyllables, then especially from the Alexandrines, his lines are divided into three distinct stanzas, two quatrains followed by a sizain, separated into two tercets.

Here our eyes are amazed at the agility of this elderly man, who, guided by Love, gratitude and benevolence, was able to express his gratitude, through the different arts he mastered, writing and drawing.

It is a thanksgiving, not intended directly for God but for one of his disciples, who on this earth was for him like the “Savior”.
We will notice the quality and the care brought to the work, the symbolism is also very present and reveals the devotion of the artist.

In the lower part of the work, the presence of the dog, the dog is the animal of Ahura Mazda in the ancient Persian religion, where its role is to drive out evil spirits.

In the upper part of the work, the presence of the sun which in its center reveals a gentle dove, the divine Sun, this star which gives and allows life and the dove, which symbolizes the Holy Spirit, and Eternal peace.

We also have two earthly religious figures with their censers, the incense whose smoke represents the prayer that ascends to heaven, then two celestial figures from the kingdom of heaven, Saint Peter, holding the keys in his hands, assisted by the archangel Mickaël protecting evil spirits with his sword, the gates of paradise.

Thank you, Mr. Jacques James, for the abundance and wisdom that your work, intact to this day, reveals to us.