Henri Duc de Guise has his hand trapped in a split tree trunk when the two parts of the tree are brought together, contrary to Nature; the tree representing the family tree of the kings of France, which diverges into a Valois branch and a Bourbon (Navarre) branch. Etching.

Date:
1589
Reference:
39092i
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Description

The tree grows out of the body of King Louis of France. Guise is attacked by a wolf and cannot defend himself because his hand is trapped

Publication/Creation

[Place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified], 1589.

Physical description

1 print : etching ; platemark 24.9 x 17.7 cm

Lettering

Anstandt auf ein Jar zwischen dem König von Frankereich und Navarra gemacht zu Tours 26. April 1589. ... Extensive lettering. At the top of the tree on the left (Valois) side, Henry III says: "Bey meinem Scepter schwör ich dir". Facing him on the Bourbon side, Henri de Navarre (the future Henri IV of France) replies: "Ich auch der gleichen wie du mir". Left background, assassination of Henri III: "Da wird der König ertod durch ein Munch zu S. Cloud den 1 Augusti 1589". Right background, the murder of Henri Duc de Guise, at Blois: "Hie wird bewiser erslagen zu Bless den 23. Dezembris 1588". Centre, an angel tries to tie the branches together with a twisted chain: "In aerem contraria necto". On the split tree trunk: "Sic male divisa coalescunt". Verses at foot: "Der ist nit weiss so sich mit List, ein Ding das lang zerspalten ist, in ein zu bringen understehet; der Natur wens zu wider gehet. Obgleich ein Engel ketten spandt, so kempt man doch alzeit di Handt, darauss entspringt dan hie und dort, zu beiden Seitten grosser Mort". English translation of the German verses: That man is not wise who brings together with wit what has broken apart long ago: it goes against Nature. Even when angels put on the chains, one still squeezes one's hand, and then, here and there, great slaughter is the result

References note

Georges Duplessis, Inventaire de la collection d'estampes relatives à l'histoire de France léguée en 1863 à la Bibliothéque Nationale par M. Michel Hennin, Paris 1876, vol. 1, no. 955

Reference

Wellcome Collection 39092i

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