Comment on 24.10.1800

The clay model of Thorvaldsen’s statue Jason with the Golden Fleece in its first version, which he destroyed in the spring of 1802 because he could not afford to cast it in plaster, see Thiele I, p. 165 and 172. Regarding the making of Jason, see the related article.
Thorvaldsen’s description shows that the subject is quite fixed and corresponds with the work which was not finished in marble until many years later, A822.
Here Jason is mentioned in the sources by name for the first time.
However, it must be assumed that Thorvaldsen already refers to his prinical work in letter of 4.4.1800 to Abildgaard.

Last updated 19.02.2015