A Renaissance Fair: The Love Witch and George Barbier

George Barbier, A Renaissance Fair, c 1929

George Barbier’s illustration “A Renaissance Fair”, taken from the book “Vies imaginaires” which was published in 1929, reminds me of the beautiful, joyous, flowery days of spring that are awaiting for us just around the corner. I simply adore this paganism that shots through the visual arts of the Renaissance. The illustration shows some sort of a celebration in nature. In the foreground a handsome man dressed in red tights, and just how very tight they are, is leaned on the tree and playing a lute, a very Renaissance instrument, while another man is lying down in the grass with his hands are in a lap of a lady who is dreaming plucking away her little harp. She is dressed in a very dreamy, calming shade of blue and has a rich crown of roses in her hair. In the background we can see the three dancing women, dressed in the colours of flowers, bring to mind the Charites or Graces; the Greek goddesses of beauty, charm, nature, creativity and fertility. Ancient Greek poet Hesiod writes of three graces as being called Aglaea which means “shining”, Euphroyne which means “joy” and Thali which means “blooming.” They were usually depicted as companions to God and Goddesses during festivals, ceremonies, feasts and dances. They even helped Aphrodite during her bath. In Barbier’s illustration they also seem to be accompanying this little celebration in a meadow, outside the big city, seen in the background, far behind the big pink blooming tree, and its restrictions.

The illustration appeals to me instantly because of its cheerfulness and vibrancy, but the more I gazed at it the more I was reminded of a scene from the film “The Love Witch” (2016). In the film a beautiful seducer and a witch called Elaine is strolling around on a date with a police sargent called Griff and they stumble upon a Renaissance Fair which was actually organised by some of her witch-friends. On the festival people are dressed in colourful Renaissance clothes and a cheerful music is in the air. Ladies are singing of love and wine is flowing. A man dressed as jester sees the love couple and suggests they make a mock-wedding, to celebrate love. And so Elaine and Griff are also dressed in Renaissance clothes and a little ceremony is performed after which Elaine feeds him some sweets and they gaze at each other infatuated, or so it seems. Elaine really does look lovely with her hot pink lips and blush, a vibrant blue eyeshadow and a gown all in white, like a fairytale maiden indeed.

Scenes from the film.