Albert Mérat in Venice

Towards the Past

“White satin, like happy waves,
On beautiful evenings and feudal nights,
Slowly glided over these flagstones,
Dragging and long, over the bodies of lovers.

Later, it was the time of pink satins,
Of dominoes at Guardi's parties,
Hiding the nape of the neck and rounded breasts,
And whispering the most exquisite things.

The pale pinks and soft whiteness
Are now nothing more than beautiful memories:
Faded flashes of faded skirts,
The concert of supreme freshness has ended.”
Albert Mérat - Les Villes de Marbre 1869

Venice at dusk

“To light up her body,
Emerging from the waves and leaning over them,
A pink soul, a white soul.
Dissonances made of chords.

It is the pink soul that first
Shines on her transparent forehead,
In a grace that takes
Nothing but the flower of light.

The setting sun leaves the day
Like a brief respite of light;
Then the white soul rises,
Transfiguring every contour.

The milk of teeth and opals,
The warm snow of white breasts,
The trembling swan's down,
The soft and pale moonlight

Have formed a charming concert
With their remarkable clarity
This nocturnal dawn of lines,
Ideally candid.

Those for whom Venice is naked
Know this duality;
And this subtle prestige is noted
By the few who have known it.”
Albert Mérat - Les Villes de Marbre 1869