Abbé Thomas PRANIEWICZ, canon of Notre Dame (1793-1869). French school of the 19th century. "First Communion of the Prince Imperial. Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God". Score on bistre paper presenting the words of a song and the piano score accompanying it, surround ornamented in watercolor with bees, stars, flowers, roosters, pansies (souvenirs of Saint Peter) and birds. Framed under glass. 62 x 47 cm. B.E. Second Empire period (1868) Provenance : Napoléon Maret 2nd Duke of Bassano, then descendants. History: La semaine religieuse announced the Prince's First Communion in March 1868: "M.l'abbé Deguerry, curé de la Madeleine, is preparing the Prince for First Communion. This religious act will take place in the Tuileries chapel, with solemnity, in the first week after Easter". Communion took place on May 8, in the presence of Monseigneur Darboy, the Emperor and the Empress. The communion tablecloth was held by Prince Murat, General Frossard, the Bishop of Adras and Abbé Mullon. Biography : Abbé Thomas PRANIEWICZ (1793-1869), canon of Notre Dame de Paris, poet and composer of religious music, writing in Polish and French. He wrote several songs with organ or piano accompaniment, including "Catechisme polémique", for three voices, and "Dialogue sur la tombe du Prince Joseph Poniatowski".