Marriage in art Marriage in art Eugène Buland: Matrimonio Innocente

Over the centuries, "the couple continues to be a point of reference, even if it has become more difficult build and easier to dissolve. "

Marriage in ancient Marriage in ancient Greece Greece

Marriage in Ancient Rome Marriage in Ancient Rome

JOHN Stradano, JOHN Stradano, sabine women bring peace between the Roman husbands and sabine women bring peace between the Roman husbands and

relatives sabini, Palazzo Vecchio, Sale of Sabinerelatives sabini, Palazzo Vecchio, Sale of Sabine

Costumi del 1200Costumi del 1200 the ceremony of a wedding. the ceremony of a wedding.

Giorgio Vasari, The Marriage of Marseille, Palazzo Vecchio, Sala di Clemente VII

Il matrimonio della Vergine di Il matrimonio della Vergine di Luca Giordano Luca Giordano

In the painting Pope Clement VII, the second In the painting Pope Clement VII, the second pontiff pontiff Medici family, celebrates the marriage of Medici family, celebrates the marriage of granddaughter granddaughter Catherine de 'Medici with Henry of Valois, the Catherine de 'Medici with Henry of Valois, the future king of future king of France. The scene takes place in Marseille in France. The scene takes place in Marseille in 1533 and is the 1533 and is the crowning of the policy of alliances adopted by crowning of the policy of alliances adopted by

Clement VII to strengthen the ties of his Clement VII to strengthen the ties of his family family with the French dynasty. The fresco captures with the French dynasty. The fresco captures the moment the moment climax of the wedding ceremony, ringing, climax of the wedding ceremony, ringing, the instrument by which the groom puts the the instrument by which the groom puts the ring on his finger for future ring on his finger for future wife. The couple was surrounded by famous wife. The couple was surrounded by famous among witnesses who recognize the king of among witnesses who recognize the king of France France Francis I, father of the bridegroom, Maria Francis I, father of the bridegroom, Maria Salviati and the Queen of Scots behind Salviati and the Queen of Scots behind Caterina. Is Caterina. Is Interestingly, the ceremony, Interestingly, the ceremony, despite being officiated by a religious despite being officiated by a religious as Pope Clement VII, there is in as Pope Clement VII, there is in church at the wedding ceremony could church at the wedding ceremony could be in any place, for example be in any place, for example home of the bridegroom.home of the bridegroom.

JACOPO DI DOMENICO FOR PAPI AND SANDRO JACOPO DI DOMENICO FOR PAPI AND SANDRO BOTTICELLI, the wedding feast of BOTTICELLI, the wedding feast of

Anastasio degli Onesti, the second half of XV Anastasio degli Onesti, the second half of XV

sec. Florence coll. Privatesec. Florence coll. Private From the fourteenth century marriage From the fourteenth century marriage

impose as a high point in impose as a high point in Italian company, a real Italian company, a real public spectacle through which the public spectacle through which the wealthier citizens display their wealthier citizens display their Economic and social prestige. Economic and social prestige. The high number of guests that could The high number of guests that could take part in the ritual transformed the take part in the ritual transformed the Wedding processions in parades like Wedding processions in parades like those organized by the revenues of those organized by the revenues of powerful. powerful. The wedding became a moment of affirmation The wedding became a moment of affirmation Social Committee for the spouses and their Social Committee for the spouses and their families, families, including through the use of clothes including through the use of clothes ever more luxurious. The wedding clothes ever more luxurious. The wedding clothes were formed by various heads were formed by various heads clothing: dresses, overcoats and clothing: dresses, overcoats and Accessories were generally coordinated; Accessories were generally coordinated; the red color of nobility, was one of the red color of nobility, was one of favorites, along with all the colors favorites, along with all the colors bright; fabrics - silk, brocade, damask - were bright; fabrics - silk, brocade, damask - were embellished by embroidery and gold and silver, embellished by embroidery and gold and silver, especially in'500, a large number of joys. No especially in'500, a large number of joys. No wonder then that the regulations suntuarie wonder then that the regulations suntuarie concerned in particular weddings. concerned in particular weddings.

The The Marriage of the VirginMarriage of the Virgin The The Marriage of the VirginMarriage of the Virgin is a painting is a painting

by the by the ItalianItalian High RenaissanceHigh Renaissance master master RaphaelRaphael, , 15041504. It is housed in the . It is housed in the Pinacoteca di Pinacoteca di BreraBrera of of MilanMilan..

The panel (signed and dated: RAPHAEL The panel (signed and dated: RAPHAEL URBINAS MDIIII) was commissioned by URBINAS MDIIII) was commissioned by the family for the chapel of St Joseph in the family for the chapel of St Joseph in the church of S. Francesco of the the church of S. Francesco of the Minorities at Minorities at Città di CastelloCittà di Castello, in , in UmbriaUmbria. . In In 17981798 the town was forced to donate the the town was forced to donate the painting to General Lechi, a painting to General Lechi, a NapoleonicNapoleonic armyarmy officer, who sold it to the Milanese officer, who sold it to the Milanese art dealer, Sannazzari. Sannazzari art dealer, Sannazzari. Sannazzari bequeathed it to the main hospital of Milan bequeathed it to the main hospital of Milan in 1804. Two years later it was acquired by in 1804. Two years later it was acquired by the Academy of Fine Arts and was then the Academy of Fine Arts and was then exhibited at theexhibited at the

Critics believe the painting to be inspired Critics believe the painting to be inspired by two compositions by by two compositions by PeruginoPerugino: the : the celebrated from the fresco cycle in the celebrated from the fresco cycle in the SistineSistine ChapelChapel and a panel containing the and a panel containing the MarriageMarriage of the of the VirginVirgin now in the Museum now in the Museum of of CaënCaën..

Sposalizio della VergineSposalizio della VergineParrocchiale di Ovada (AL)Parrocchiale di Ovada (AL)

Hieronymus Bosch - Le nozze di Cana - 1475.Hieronymus Bosch - Le nozze di Cana - 1475.

Portrait of two spouses, Portrait of two spouses, Lorenzo LottoLorenzo Lotto

Jacopo da Empoli, Marriage of Eleonora de Medici and Jacopo da Empoli, Marriage of Eleonora de Medici and Vincenzo Gonzaga (1600)>> Vincenzo Gonzaga (1600)>>

Florence, Galleria degli UffiziFlorence, Galleria degli Uffizi

SCHOOL OF GHIRLANDAIO, Scene SCHOOL OF GHIRLANDAIO, Scene from a marriage, Florence, San from a marriage, Florence, San

Martino BonominiMartino Bonomini

Domenico Ghirlandaio, Assignment of dowry Domenico Ghirlandaio, Assignment of dowry to girls in need, the second half of the to girls in need, the second half of the

fifteenth century, fifteenth century,

Florence, oratory of San Martino BishopFlorence, oratory of San Martino Bishop

Wedding procession, from "The Story of Buondelmonti Ippolito, chest, sec. XV, Wedding procession, from "The Story of Buondelmonti Ippolito, chest, sec. XV,

FlorenceFlorence The outfit was brought in large baskets or coffers also The outfit was brought in large baskets or coffers also

known as "Zane, who followed the known as "Zane, who followed the bride to her new abode, ostentatious for the streets so bride to her new abode, ostentatious for the streets so that everyone could admire the that everyone could admire the consistency, thus exerting the role, along with clothes, consistency, thus exerting the role, along with clothes, important social indicator. Through important social indicator. Through the support the family of the bride showed that it had the support the family of the bride showed that it had met its obligations, having been a met its obligations, having been a dowry for his daughter who, while excluding dall'eredità, dowry for his daughter who, while excluding dall'eredità, authority to conclude an honorable authority to conclude an honorable marriage. In exchange for her husband and his family marriage. In exchange for her husband and his family had to show generosity by offering gifts -- had to show generosity by offering gifts -- Donora - for the bride, such as the dressing parade, Donora - for the bride, such as the dressing parade, which she wore on her wedding day. which she wore on her wedding day. The value of such gifts but had to be returned to the The value of such gifts but had to be returned to the family of the husband if the family of the husband if the girl, remained widow, called the possession of dowry. The girl, remained widow, called the possession of dowry. The outfit became generally outfit became generally property of her husband and was rarely returned, property of her husband and was rarely returned, especially if the woman died without having given especially if the woman died without having given the light children very often passed from mother to the light children very often passed from mother to daughter. daughter. The support of the upper classes, which usually were not The support of the upper classes, which usually were not part of furniture or objects for part of furniture or objects for home, comprised mainly goods for personal use of the home, comprised mainly goods for personal use of the new owner: a new owner: a or two dozen shirts worked - often by the skillful hands of or two dozen shirts worked - often by the skillful hands of the future bride - handkerchiefs, the future bride - handkerchiefs, dryers again, aprons, socks, clogs and slippers, one or dryers again, aprons, socks, clogs and slippers, one or more party dresses, belts and more party dresses, belts and ornaments for his head. Not missing objects employed to ornaments for his head. Not missing objects employed to keep the hands of the bride: whole keep the hands of the bride: whole needed to sew from Conocchia to the world, and objects needed to sew from Conocchia to the world, and objects for body care as mirrors, for body care as mirrors, ribbons and perfume and even soap, equally important ribbons and perfume and even soap, equally important was considered the care of the was considered the care of the woman in whose accounts were included books of woman in whose accounts were included books of prayers or some sacred image. prayers or some sacred image.

JOHN FROM SAN GIOVANNI, Contract of Marriage, JOHN FROM SAN GIOVANNI, Contract of Marriage,

1625 ca., Rome, Galleria di Palazzo Corsini.1625 ca., Rome, Galleria di Palazzo Corsini. The scene immortalized by John from St. John The scene immortalized by John from St. John

describes a marriage celebrated in describes a marriage celebrated in Tuscan countryside. The framework focuses Tuscan countryside. The framework focuses on "touch of hand" that is the junction on "touch of hand" that is the junction the right of married couples, an act that the right of married couples, an act that sealed their union, while the notary law of sealed their union, while the notary law of the contract dotale the contract dotale Faced with witnesses. For the less affluent Faced with witnesses. For the less affluent couples, who can not afford the purchase of couples, who can not afford the purchase of TheTheor payment of the notary who rogherà the or payment of the notary who rogherà the contract, the rite is reduced to a simple contract, the rite is reduced to a simple public public "Touched the hand", although very frequent "Touched the hand", although very frequent marriages are illegal concluded without marriages are illegal concluded without presence of any witness or to minors without presence of any witness or to minors without parental consent. parental consent. It is also known as the ceremony takes place It is also known as the ceremony takes place in an open area without the presence of a in an open area without the presence of a priest: priest: So despite the reform of the wedding rite So despite the reform of the wedding rite implemented by the Church with the decrees implemented by the Church with the decrees of Trent, the of Trent, the marriage remains popular, marriage remains popular, yet in the seventeenth century, a ritual yet in the seventeenth century, a ritual strongly linked to local traditions strongly linked to local traditions the oldest. the oldest.

Pieter BruegelPieter BruegelIl matrimonio contadino, Il matrimonio contadino,

15681568

DAVID TENIERS THE YOUNG, rural Wedding, XVII DAVID TENIERS THE YOUNG, rural Wedding, XVII

centurycentury In rural as well as in mountain areas are generally In rural as well as in mountain areas are generally within the bride within the bride community, the circle of relatives, friends and community, the circle of relatives, friends and neighbors. neighbors. During the religious service, public meetings or During the religious service, public meetings or feasts of the country, activities feasts of the country, activities as agricultural harvesting or collection of chestnuts, as agricultural harvesting or collection of chestnuts, families may contact between families may contact between and plan their strategies marriage. The choice of and plan their strategies marriage. The choice of spouse for the lower classes is so limited spouse for the lower classes is so limited from the community, the magnitude of knowledge from the community, the magnitude of knowledge and the possibility of and the possibility of provide a substantial dowry: it is based also on provide a substantial dowry: it is based also on economic and social between husband and economic and social between husband and wife. wife. After the initial contacts between families or After the initial contacts between families or between the two future spouses, an agreement between the two future spouses, an agreement Economic, you need the promise of marriage, Economic, you need the promise of marriage, which in itself is already a formal bond. which in itself is already a formal bond. After a certain period of time, exchanges of After a certain period of time, exchanges of consensus or the statement by consensus or the statement by the promised to take as husband and wife: This the promised to take as husband and wife: This event is often crowned dall'anello event is often crowned dall'anello wedding. wedding. The consensus may be in several places: at the The consensus may be in several places: at the door of the church (in France and door of the church (in France and Germany), home of the bride (in Florence) but also Germany), home of the bride (in Florence) but also in the fields, in beer, etc.. Subsequent in the fields, in beer, etc.. Subsequent celebrations linked to passage of his wife in the celebrations linked to passage of his wife in the new dwelling may last several days, but new dwelling may last several days, but often, especially for the poorest couples and young, often, especially for the poorest couples and young, are minimized. The blessing of are minimized. The blessing of priest, before or after the wedding, is not the case priest, before or after the wedding, is not the case everywhere. everywhere.

SPOSALIZIO DELLA VERGINE (1502-1504)SPOSALIZIO DELLA VERGINE (1502-1504)

Pietro PeruginoPietro Perugino At the center of the composition the priest Simeon, At the center of the composition the priest Simeon,

perfectly placed front marriage to assist Joseph, perfectly placed front marriage to assist Joseph, with the rod flourished, and Mary. A left the group with the rod flourished, and Mary. A left the group of suitors including some who break the branch, on of suitors including some who break the branch, on the right group of women. the right group of women. The scene is set in a large square in the center of The scene is set in a large square in the center of which stands a majestic octagonal building, which stands a majestic octagonal building, surmounted by a dome and raised on a staircase. surmounted by a dome and raised on a staircase. Beyond the building that occupies the upper half of Beyond the building that occupies the upper half of the painting, the square merges with a large hilly the painting, the square merges with a large hilly landscape that sees through the door of the landscape that sees through the door of the temple. temple. The composition, rigorously symmetrical, is based The composition, rigorously symmetrical, is based on the laws of perspective with geometric central on the laws of perspective with geometric central vanishing point. All lines in fact converge into a vanishing point. All lines in fact converge into a single fire, situated upon the main temple. The single fire, situated upon the main temple. The paving of the square boxes to the porch steps to paving of the square boxes to the porch steps to the downgrade of the proportions of figures, the the downgrade of the proportions of figures, the same building, helping to create the effect of great same building, helping to create the effect of great depth and balance. depth and balance. Perugino had already experienced this kind of Perugino had already experienced this kind of composition depicting the nell'affresco DELIVERY composition depicting the nell'affresco DELIVERY OF KEYS TO SAN PIETRO, executed in the Sistine OF KEYS TO SAN PIETRO, executed in the Sistine Chapel in 1482. Chapel in 1482.

In the early sixteenth century, the artist and his In the early sixteenth century, the artist and his workshop returning to meditate on the problem of workshop returning to meditate on the problem of perspective and the temple in central plan. It is no perspective and the temple in central plan. It is no coincidence that in those years Raffaello, recently coincidence that in those years Raffaello, recently released dall'atelier peruginesco, has a similar, the released dall'atelier peruginesco, has a similar, the Marriage of the Virgin to the church of San Marriage of the Virgin to the church of San Francesco in Citta di Castello, now kept in the Francesco in Citta di Castello, now kept in the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan. In table raffaellesca, Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan. In table raffaellesca, however, the building is a sixteen sides surrounded however, the building is a sixteen sides surrounded by an air portico and is removed from by an air portico and is removed from prospectively figures of the first floor, creating a prospectively figures of the first floor, creating a more comprehensive andmore comprehensive and

Lorenzo Lotto, Portrait of Marsilio and Lorenzo Lotto, Portrait of Marsilio and Faustina Cassotti, 1523, Madrid, Museo Faustina Cassotti, 1523, Madrid, Museo

del Pradodel Prado the portrait executed by Lorenzo Lotto the portrait executed by Lorenzo Lotto

for the wedding of a for the wedding of a young couple (1). The work is the young couple (1). The work is the delivery of The (2) to the bride by the delivery of The (2) to the bride by the husband; it is confirmed dall'abbraccio husband; it is confirmed dall'abbraccio disrespectful of a Cupid who puts on disrespectful of a Cupid who puts on their shoulders a yoke their shoulders a yoke (3), a symbol of conjugium clear, the (3), a symbol of conjugium clear, the marriage bond that will unite them marriage bond that will unite them forever. Under no forever. Under no compare any evidence that calls the compare any evidence that calls the sanctity of the ceremony. To suggest to sanctity of the ceremony. To suggest to the spiritual the spiritual carnal love which should guide is carnal love which should guide is provided another opera, performed for provided another opera, performed for the occasion ever the occasion ever by Lotto, or the Mystical Marriage of by Lotto, or the Mystical Marriage of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. The Saint Catherine of Alexandria. The combination of the two paintings combination of the two paintings therefore intended to invoke the therefore intended to invoke the religious value of marriage within the religious value of marriage within the family. family.

Sir Frank Dicksee:Giulietta e Sir Frank Dicksee:Giulietta e Romeo Romeo

Lajos Gulaksi: Paolo e Lajos Gulaksi: Paolo e Francesca Francesca

Mark Chagall Mark Chagall MarriageMarriage

GALLERIA GLI ELFI di Stefano VernilloGALLERIA GLI ELFI di Stefano Vernillo

MatrimonioMatrimonio

Mark ChagallMark ChagallRussian wedding Russian wedding

Yesterday and Today Yesterday and Today

By comparing the images of a contemporary marriage with the By comparing the images of a contemporary marriage with the Vasari fresco "The Vasari fresco "The Marriage of Marseille, and in particular with the role of wife, Marriage of Marseille, and in particular with the role of wife, Catherine de 'Medici, we Catherine de 'Medici, we the wedding dress that it does not meet the standards of modern the wedding dress that it does not meet the standards of modern tradition of the dress tradition of the dress white with a veil. Depictions of weddings of preindustrial societies white with a veil. Depictions of weddings of preindustrial societies confirm that confirm that the image of Catherine is no exception, but unlike his habit to the image of Catherine is no exception, but unlike his habit to respond respond Royalties suntuari Renaissance, with a different conception of its Royalties suntuari Renaissance, with a different conception of its wedding. wedding. The other obvious difference between the two images is the The other obvious difference between the two images is the moment immortalized by the painter: moment immortalized by the painter: In the past, the artists depict a frequent exchange point, noting In the past, the artists depict a frequent exchange point, noting that the seals that the seals wedding, now prefers to photograph the exit from the Church of wedding, now prefers to photograph the exit from the Church of the marry or kiss that enshrines the marry or kiss that enshrines publicly their union. publicly their union.