The ceremonies of the Fête de Dieu in Aix en Provence printed in Aix in 1777.
Aix-en-Provence, 1777.
Grégoire, Gaspard. Explanation of the ceremonies of the Fête-Dieu of Aix-en-Provence, Decorated with figures of the Lieutenant of the Prince of Love (sic); of the King & Governors of the Bazoche; of the Abbot of the City; & of the Games of the Devils, of the Razcassetos, of the Apostles, of the Queen of Sheba, of the Tirassons…
In Aix, at Esprit David, 1777.
In-12, 1 portrait, 220 pp., ii pp., 13 folding plates. Preserved in its original state, with wide margins as untrimmed, some wêr on the spine. Brochure of the period.
188 x 110 mm.
Original edition of this curious work on the festivals instituted under the reign of King René. Their origin dates back to around 1462, they included games, processions, jousts, tournaments, etc…
E. Rouard, Notice on the library of Aix known as Méjanes, p. 53; G. Mourey, The Book of French Festivals, 284, 286-8 ; Jacques Billiord, The Book in Provence of the XVIe au 18the century, pp. 17, 103;
Vinet, 819; Cohen-De Ricci 367-368; Lipperheide Sl 20; Rümann 859.
Complete copy of the 12 folding etchings with captions in Provençal, these very picturesque figures are drawn and engraved by P. et G. Grégoire (son of the author) who were the inventors of painting on velvet, with the engraved music plate (march of the lieutenant of the Prince, airs of the Queen of Sheba, the wild horses (sic) of the passage, the watch) and frontispiece the portrait of King René of Anjou by G. Grégoire, making a total of 14 figures. (Barbier, vol. 2, col. 378).
“This work is by Gaspard Grégoire, native of Aix. The figures were drawn by Paul Grégoire, one of his sons, and engraved by Gaspard, brother of Paul. It was these two Grégoire sons who were the inventors of painting on velvet.” (Barbier, anonymous, III, 378).
“Instituted by King René [titular King of Naples (1435-1480)], the Fête-Dieu is one of the most popular, most original, and most picturesque of all festivals in Provence; it is at Aix that it was always held, and was celebrated with the grêtest enthusiasm and magnificence; its naive rites were always observed with the grêtest respect. It was originally a tournament, opening on the Monday of Pentecost by the nomination of officers or knights of which the principal ones were the Lieutenant of the Prince of Love, the Abbot of the City, and the King of La Bazoche ; it lasted until the Saturday after the Fête-Dieu” (Mour).
The interest of this book is such that a facsimile was made in Marseille in 1978.
Precious copy preserved as originally issued, with wide margins as untrimmed.
The nuc contains an entry for an edition of 1773 at the Detroit Institute of Arts and two other locations. Upon inspection, this has been found to be a ghost.
