The Thorvaldsens Museum Archives

Abstract

Problems concerning the transcription.

This document is very difficult to decipher, but there is no doubt that it is one of the six known drafts of Thorvaldsen’s letter dated 15.2.1842. The reading of the draft is made difficult by Thorvaldsen’s poor spelling, his corrections, and his incomplete sentences. Besides, the text is covered by a wash of brown ink, and the text on the back, which has been glued on later, can be seen faintly on the front of the paper, which makes it even more difficult to read.

There exist six drafts of the final letter dated 15.2.1842

(read more about Thorvaldsen’s writing difficulties in the article Thorvaldsen’s Letter Writing Process):

• First draft in his own hand dated not earlier than 13.1.1842, not later than 15.2.1842, written on the back of a letter dated 2.9.1841 from Giuseppe Pomba to Thorvaldsen.

• Second draft in his own hand dated not earlier than 13.1.1842, before 1.2.1842.

• Third draft in his own hand dated not earlier than 13.1.1842, before 1.2.1842, written on the back of a letter dated 18.11.1841 from Fortunati Chialli to Thorvaldsen.

• Fourth draft in his own hand dated not earlier than 13.1.1842, before 1.2.1842.

• Fifth draft in his own hand dated after 1.2.1842, not later than 15.2.1842.

• Sixth draft by an amanuensis dated after 1.2.1842, not later than 15.2.1842.

The provenance of the draft.

This draft is at the Fondation Custodia in Paris and was acquired by the foundation in 2013 together with a small envelope with a lock of Thorvaldsen’s hair. The lock of hair was given by Thorvaldsen’s good friend, Christine Stampe to their mutual Irish friend Eliza Whittle.
On the draft, Stampe has confirmed in English that it was written by the sculptor himself. Since the two objects – the lock of hair and the draft – both came from Stampe, and since they were sold together in 2013, it is highly likely that they have the same provenance, and that Stampe gave not only the lock of hair to Whittle but also the present draft.
Whittle writes that she received the lock of hair in 1844 – Thorvaldsen’s death 24.3.1844 may have occasioned Stampe to send the two memorabilia to her Irish friend.

At the time when this draft was written, Christine Stampe was in Rome with Thorvaldsen and her family from 12.9.1841 to 6.6.1842. When she was leaving for home, she took the liberty of bringing this second draft and also the fifth draft of the letter dated 15.2.1842 – and probably also other “treasures” from the sculptor. Christine Stampe did undoubtedly witness Thorvaldsen’s attempts at formulating the letter to Christian 8.