La Constitution Triomfant (caricature on Constitutio Unigenitus)

Artist Unknown

Date1724

Place of OriginNetherlands

MediumEngraving on two joined pieces of laid paper (image and text printed with separate plates)

DimensionsSheet: 14 x 13 in. (35.6 x 33 cm)

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineGift in memory of Leon H. and Marie Buttlar Sparling by their family

Object number2008.20.28

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Inscribed22 lines of text in French engraved below the image area, within the plate: "L'Antique Verité est sous rude censure; Elle concoit Justice, engendre inimitié; Sa nudité chocant. La nouvelle, en culture Et habit monacale, a la veue cassé, Elle reéçoit ainsi la Bulle; elle la quitte Aux petits aveuglez triomphant de ses partis. La Constitution, enfans acceptez vite; Soyez toujours Clemens, et d'Innocent amis Qui baise ici les pieds de Clement feu Saint Pere Comme son successeurs; il reçoit ce patent De la Nimse, qu'on voit par L'Etoille en colere. Sa Verge arachera Jansene, à son torrent Dont on voit le pourtrait caché du petit drole. Sauterelles de fronts humains on voit aussi; A l'opposité d eux, des oijes (vision sole) Celles-la acceptant, mais contr'eux celles-ci Appelleant de la Bulle, ils jettent eau et flames Eglise, ah! n'es jamais en Catholicité Mais, cher Clement, la Bulle, en tourmentant des ames Elle (l'on croit) pourroit etre au feu consacree Pour bien eterniser sa pieuse memoire Je la sacrifierois du moin au purgatoire"

MarkingsCircular collector's mark stamped in dark blue ink on the verso, LR."Kupferstich Sammlung" [copper engraving collection] printed in block letters around the edge and having an elaborately scrolled cypher at the center. The mark was double struck making it difficult to read, the central letter may be an E. (probably E. Fabricius, see Provenance notes from Armin Kunz, appraiser) On examination Armin Kunz noted a fleur de lis watermark.

DescriptionA satirical print on the subject of the papal bull 'Unigenitus' issued September 8, 1713 by Pope Clemens XI (1649-1721, papacy began1700). In it Clemens denounced 101 propositions of a Jansenist Catholic book, 'Moral Reflections on the New Testament', written by Pasquier Quesnel (1634-1719).

At the center of the image Clemens XI sits on his papal throne while his successor Innocent XIII kisses his right foot. From his right hand he tosses sheets of paper labeled "Constitutie" towards a seated figure of a woman who is blindfolded (Truth blinded) and surrounded by blindfolded putti. On his left a nude figure of a woman (Truth) carrying a palm branch in her left hand is running from her chair, away from what appear to be lightning bolts or arrows aimed at her from Clemens' left hand. To the front right of Clemens is a putti wearing a bishops mitre and raising a hatchet to a portrait of Cornelius Jansen, the Dutch theologian whose writings served as the foundation of the movement. In the left corner of the image blindfolded putti are stepping on an image marked "Quenel"

In the lower right crickets or grasshoppers wearing a clerical hat of the shape worn by Jansen are breathing fire towards a gaggle of geese who are spitting water in return. The artist is mocking the Pope and church in Rome who are represented by the geese.

The whole scene is set on a a dais placed before a large drapery with tassels that is in turn set in a landscape with the Vatican at the left and a fort at the right.

Below the image area is the title "LA CONSTITUTION TRIOMFANT" two columns of text, each 11 lines long. (see Inscription)

For further identification by Armin Kunz see Notes

Exhibition History"Old Master Prints from the Sparling Family Collection", Hoopes Gallery, The Hyde Collection, February 28 - May 24, 2009.ProvenanceBefore 1920, Berlin, Germany, E. Fabricius
Before 1938, New York, NY, William Randolph Hearst (according to Richard Helbig)
By 1941, New York, NY, Gimbels Department Store (according to Richard Helbig)
New York, NY, Richard Helbig
2006, Houston, TX, Tobin Sparling
2008, Glens Falls, NY, The Hyde Collection Trust