E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Connubialis de Muloibre fecit Apellem.
Love turned a blacksmith into a great artist. Said of Quentin Matsys, the blacksmith of Antwerp, who was in love with an artist’s daughter. The father scorned the alliance, and said he should not be accepted unless he made himself a worthy artist. This did Matsys and won his bride. The sentence may be seen still on the monument of Quentin Matsys outside Antwerp cathedral.
