Comment on 20.3.1826
It is not known what the monument was to look like. In his letter dated 15.12.1825, Falsen refers to a drawing that he and Thorvaldsen apparently agreed on. It may be the one that shows the reliefs placed on either side of the monument. If it had been agreed in advance that the two reliefs were to be placed on either side of the monument, then Thorvaldsen’s answer to and ill-concealed irritation at Falsen’s assertion in the above-mentioned letter –”that I cannot possibly make these 2 pieces [the reliefs] form one whole [the monument] – as the one that represents Night is big and round and the other that represents the Genius is small and square” – seem quite justified.
Last updated 12.09.2016