9 - Anonymous, 16th century

Anonymous, 16th century Posthumous portrait of Henri de Guise. Circa 1588–1595. Engraving. [277 x 380 mm]. A very fine print on thin ivory-colored laid paper, trimmed along the square edge on the right. Horizontal drying crease in the center. Narrow margins on three sides. Formerly in the collections of H. Beraldi (Lugt 230), P. Demany (Lugt 780b), and M. Guérin (1872b). AABM stamp (Lugt 3075). This subject is listed in the Inventory of the Hennin Collection by Georges Duplessis under no. 813 (“Anonymous engraving, erroneously attributed to one of the Wierixes”). The print pays homage to Henri de Lorraine, Duke of Guise (1550–1588), known as “the Scarred.” The frame features, at the top, two angels crowning the duke; in the center, two allegorical figures; and at the bottom, two scenes depicting the assassination of the duke and his brother on December 23, 1588, in Blois, on the orders of King Henry III. The engraved Latin inscription is an elegy and a eulogy: “A dirge for the bravest and most vigorous hero, Henri de Lorraine, Duke of Guise—the splendor of all France—who rose to the heights of Olympus. A cry of terror rises; all of unfortunate France trembles. Why do the rooftops of the houses echo with such murmurs, and why does the grieving people bathe their faces in tears? Why are men in arms gathering in the streets of our city, and why does a shudder seize the countless inhabitants? They walk with sad faces and ask in hushed tones what news has been brought. Alas, wretched as I am, I cannot remain composed without weeping! My overwhelmed mind wavers; you ask me to rekindle an unspeakable pain, and no one can hold back their tears when speaking of this. Ah! Do you not know what bloody fate has befallen him, and how Guise now rejoices in the Empyrean? O glory! O splendor of the French! O pride of the nation! Who does not weep for your fate with a broken heart? O death, which all the faithful must mourn! O cruel death! Weep, sorrowful France. A dirge for the magnanimous hero and lord, struck down by a vile crime—a death so horrible that it cries out for vengeance. Let us make the heavens resound with a terrible cry, so that God Himself may avenge this great crime. May the perpetrator of such a disaster perish; may he be hanged and bound to the infamous wheel; may he burn, completely submerged in sulfur; may grief, tears, and eternal pain be his lot. May he perish struck by lightning hurled from the throne of the Lord of Thunder, and may Charon’s boat carry him away into the waters of sorrow. But as for you—why so much grief, my sweet Guise?—may sorrowful hearts cease weeping from now on! Rest in peace in your sarcophagus; enjoy a tranquil sleep in the tomb, free from all suffering. Scatter flowers with open hands, offer lilies, honor Guise, and sing a sweet melody. As for me, I will recount his exploits and utter the final words: “Peace be upon him, rest be upon him”—let France say “Amen.”