Comment on 28.7.1805
Regarding war, Thorvaldsen is referring to the War of the Third Coalition between France on one side and Austria, Russia, Great Britain, and others on the other. This war culminated in the Battle of Trafalgar 21.10.1805 (in English victory) and the Battle of Austerlitz 2.12.1805 (in French victory). The war made shipping difficult.
Regarding plague in the area around Carrara, Thorvaldsen may be referring to the yellow fever which ravaged Tuscany at the end of 1804 and restricted people’s movement in and out of Tuscany, see e.g. Herman Schubart’s letter of 28.12.1804 to Thorvaldsen.
Last updated 27.07.2015