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| Jean Poyer Angel of the Annunciation ca. 1485-90 watercolor on vellum (detached from a Book of Hours) Musée du Louvre |
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| Jean Poyer Virgin of the Annunciation ca. 1485-90 watercolor on vellum (detached from a Book of Hours) Musée du Louvre |
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| Jean Pichore Scene of Seduction at a Roman Banquet ca. 1510 gouache and watercolor on vellum (detached from a manuscript of Ovid) Musée du Louvre |
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| Giulio Clovio after Raphael Conversion of the Proconsul ca. 1530-40 tempera on vellum (Marino Grimani manuscript) Musée du Louvre |
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| Giulio Clovio after Raphael The Theological Virtues ca. 1530-40 tempera on vellum (Marino Grimani manuscript) Musée du Louvre |
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| Master of Philippe de Lévis Baptism of Christ, within Initial D ca. 1534-35 pigment on vellum (excised from manuscript) Musée du Louvre |
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| Hans Bol St John the Baptist preaching 1589 gouache on vellum, mounted on panel Musée du Louvre |
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| Anonymous French Artist Boar Hunt in Antiquity 17th century gouache on vellum Musée du Louvre |
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| Anonymous French Artist Christ on the Mount of Olives 17th century gouache on vellum Musée du Louvre |
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| Jean Joubert God the Father separating the Elements ca. 1725 gouache on vellum, mounted on panel (originally applied to furniture at Versailles) Musée du Louvre |
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| Jean Joubert Return of the Dove to the Ark after the Deluge ca. 1725 gouache on vellum, mounted on panel (originally applied to furniture at Versailles) Musée du Louvre |
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| Jean Joubert Column of Fire before the Tabernacle ca. 1725 gouache on vellum, mounted on panel (originally applied to furniture at Versailles) Musée du Louvre |
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| Jean Joubert Joseph and Potiphar's Wife ca. 1725 gouache on vellum, mounted on panel (originally applied to furniture at Versailles) Musée du Louvre |
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| Jean-Honoré Fragonard Apollo and Daphne ca. 1780 watercolor on vellum Musée du Louvre |
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| Anonymous French Artist Miniature Portrait of a Young Woman 18th century watercolor on vellum Musée du Louvre |
Market Forecast
Adjectives continue
their downward spiral,
with adverbs likely to follow.
Wisdom, grace, and beauty
can be had three for a dollar,
as they head for a recession.
Diaphanous, filigree,
pearlescent, and love
are now available
at wholesale prices.
Verbs are still blue-chip investments,
but not many are willing to sell.
The image market is still strong,
but only for those rated AA or higher.
Beware of cheap imitations
sold by the side of the road.
Only the most conservative
consider rhyme a good option,
but its success in certain circles
warrants a brief mention.
The ongoing search for fresh
metaphor has caused concern
among environmental activists,
who warn that both the moon and the sea
have measurably diminished
since the dawn of the Romantic era.
Latter-day prosodists are having to settle
for menial positions in poultry plants,
where an aptitude for repetitive rhythms
is considered a valuable trait.
The outlook for the future remains uncertain,
and troubled times may lie ahead.
Supply will continue to outpace demand,
and the best of the lot remain unread.
– Alexa Selph (2001)