Antiques

"To be able to say how much you love is to love but little" (Petrarch)

"Laura & Petrarch"

This rare, sumptuous Gobelin is the work of my mother-in-law Veturia Marinas (nee Ratiu) descendant of one of the most famous families of Transylvania.

D111 Laura & Petrarch/Laura si Petrarca, approx 102 x 155 cm rectangular (112 x 165 x 4 framed)

On an Austrian print, it depicts the meeting of Italian Renaissance poet Petrarch with his beloved Laura. The Gobelin was created around 1930 and it took 7 years to complete. This was one of the presents I received at my wedding, symbolizing eternal love.

This very large piece is well suited for a mansion. Its place is no longer in my small apartment unit. Make me an offer!

Francis Petrarch (Francesco Petrarca) was an Italian scholar, poet, and humanist, a major force in the development of the Renaissance, famous for his poems addressed to Laura, an idealized beloved whom he met in 1327 (aged 23) in the French town of Avignon.

D111 Detail

As Laura was married and his love was not returned, her presence causes him unspeakable joy, and on the other hand it creates unendurable desires.

D111 Detail

D111 Detail
And yes, the dog has blue spots! I have been always intrigued why Veturia  had to use blue for the dog! (besides the fact that it harmonizes with Petrarch's trousers and with Laura's somptuous dress, or was it because she had too much of the blue threads left?...) Maybe someone has a better explanation?