This fine steel-plate engraving depicts an intimate, domestic scene of the Virgin Mary tenderly swaddling the infant Jesus, while a youthful angel plays a violin in the background. The text wrapping around the bottom border features the beautiful theological reflection: "LA TOUTE PUISSANCE DANS LES LANGES, Ô MERVEILLE D’AMOUR" (The Almighty in swaddling clothes, oh wonder of love).
True to the premium devotional items of its period, the clothing of Mary and Christ features stunning colifichets—tiny, hand-applied metallic gold sequins and raised foil dots designed to glisten dynamically under flickering candlelight during private prayer.
Fully legible lower text reads "Dopter, Imp.-Édit. rue de Madame, 29 à Paris," definitively dating the print's production to Dopter's brief residency at this historic address. A previous owner carefully trimmed this vignette into an oval to isolate the central illustration and text for display. It shows beautiful, natural age-toning and wear consistent with a 170+ year-old paper antique.
The back of the vignette features a beautifully typeset, complete French prayer composed for comfort during periods of deep personal trial, sorrow, or physical illness. Addressed to the Virgin Mary, it appeals to her intercession for "la grâce qui convient le mieux à l'état de souffrance où je me trouve" (the grace best suited to the state of suffering in which I find myself). The reverse side also features a secondary matching publisher imprint and explicitly identifies the original catalog plate classification number (Pl. 221) from Maison Dopter’s mid-19th-century inventory.
On the back of the card, it reads -
"Sainte Marie, Mère de Dieu, comme ma confiance en vous doit être vive, lorsque, plongé dans la douleur et l'affliction et tremblant pour mon salut éternel, j'ai recours à vous et que je considère dans le silence de mon cœur que vous êtes pleine de grâce, et prête à faire du bien à ceux qui vous implorent! O Reine très-pure et très-miséricordieuse de tous les fidèles! je sais que vous connaissez mieux que moi les vrais besoins de mon âme, et que vous m'aimez bien plus que je ne saurais vous aimer. Daignez donc aujourd'hui, je vous en supplie, m'obtenir par votre gracieuse intercession, de votre divin Fils, la grâce qui convient le mieux à l'état de souffrance où je me trouve.
Dopter, rue de Madame, 29, à Paris.
Pl. 221."
Translated, it reads -
"Holy Mary, Mother of God, how lively my trust in you must be, when, plunged into sorrow and affliction and trembling for my eternal salvation, I have recourse to you and consider in the silence of my heart that you are full of grace, and ready to do good to those who implore you! O most pure and most merciful Queen of all the faithful! I know that you know the true needs of my soul better than I do, and that you love me far more than I could ever love you. Deign therefore today, I beseech you, to obtain for me through your gracious intercession, from your divine Son, the grace best suited to the state of suffering in which I find myself.
Dopter, rue de Madame, 29, Paris.
Plate 221."
This would look beautiful framed. It measures 2.75" x 3". Please email me with questions.
