1822

Sender

Philip Hunt

Sender’s Location

London

Recipient

Omnes

Dating based on

Bogen er udgivet i 1822.

Abstract

Texts about three of Thorvaldsen’s works: Briseis and Achilles, cf. A490, Priam Pleads with Achilles for Hector’s Body, cf. A492, and Georgiana Elizabeth Russell, cf. A173.

Document

THE WRATH OF ACHILLES.

THIS basso-rilievo^I was composed^II and executed at Rome by Thorvaldsen, and purchased by the Duke of Bedford^III, in the year 1815.

It represents Patroclus, in obedience to the commands of Achilles, delivering up Briseis to Agamemnon’s heralds: and the artist has well expressed the reluctant step and lingering look with which the beautiful captive leaves the hero, to whom she had become fondly attached: while Achilles’ whole frame seems agitated with wrath, and breathing vengeance against the tyrant, for his insolence, injustice, and rapacity.

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PRIAM SUPPLICATING ACHILLES.

THIS basso-rilievo^IV was also executed by Thorvaldsen, at Rome, for the Duke of Bedford^V, in the year 1815.

It represents the unfortunate and aged Priam kneeling to Achilles, “kissing those murderous hands that had slain so many of his sons,”

χερσὶν Ἀχιλλῆος λάβε γούνατα καὶ κύσε χεῖρας
δεινὰς ἀνδροφόνους, αἵ οἱ πολέας κτάνον υἷας.

Homer. Iliad. XXIV. 478.

and imploring him to give up the corpse of Hector, that it might receive those funeral rites, which were held to be of most sacred obligation on the surviving friends, and of most important consequence to the souls of the deceased.

The Danish sculptor has admirably succeeded in expressing the feelings, which must be supposed to have shewn themselves in the countenances of Priam and Achilles at such an interview: he has chosen the very moment, when the proud heart of the conqueror, touched by the pathetic appeal of the bereaved parent, is relaxing from its resentment, and yielding to the impulse of compassion.

Thorvaldsen has ventured to deviate from the text of Homer, by introducing Trojan attendants, carrying part of the costly ransom into the tent of Achilles; and he has rendered them conspicuously national, by their Phrygian bonnets and dress; though the poet says, that Priam was expressly commanded by Jupiter, to take with him no Trojan, except one grave and aged herald:

οἶον, μηδέ τις ἄλλος ἅμα Τρώων ἴτω ἀνήρ.
κῆρύξ τίς τοι ἕποιτο γεραίτερος, ὅς κ᾿ ἰθύνοι
ἡμιόνους καὶ ἄμαξαν ἐύτροχον, ἠδὲ καὶ αὖτις
νεκρὸν ἄγοι προτὶ ἄστυ, τὸν ἔκτανε δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς.

Hom. Il. XXIV. 177.

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STATUE OF LADY
GEORGIANA ELIZABETH RUSSELL.

IN the vestibule of the Temple of the Graces are two niches; each containing a beautiful little statue.

That on the south side of the door represents Lady Georgiana Elizabeth Russell^VI, eldest daughter of the Duke of Bedford, sculptured by Thorvaldsen at Rome, when she was four years old. He has succeeded in giving to it a mild expression of features, a purity and simplicity of forms, and a pleasing attitude of repose.

General Comment

Denne trykte tekst er tre uddrag fra bogen Outline Engravings and Descriptions of the Woburn Abbey Marbles, London 1822. Bogen indgik i Thorvaldsens bibliotek, jf. M51, og er et katalog over værker, der befandt sig i skulpturgalleriet på Woburn Abbey i Bedfordshire i England. Galleriet blev anlagt af John Russell, 6. hertug af Bedford, og rummede tre af Thorvaldsens skulpturer, jf. referenceartiklen Russells bestilling og skulpturgalleriet på Woburn Abbey. Bogen blev sendt til Thorvaldsen som en gave, se følgebrevet af 16.6.1823 samt hertugens brev af 26.4.1824.

Archival Reference

Subjects

• Gifts for Thorvaldsen, Books
• Reliefs, Classical Mythology
• Russell's Commission 1815
• Thorvaldsen's Works, not at Thorvaldsens Museum

Persons

• Georgiana Elizabeth Russell
• John Russell
• Bertel Thorvaldsen

Works

	Briseis føres væk fra Achilleus af Agamemnons herolder, 1803, inv.nr. A490
	Priamos bønfalder Achilleus om Hektors lig, Primo 1815, inv.nr. A492
	Georgiana Elizabeth Russell, 1815, inv.nr. A173

Commentaries

1. Briseis og Achilleus, jf. A490.

2. Briseis og Achilleus, jf. A490, formgav Thorvaldsen allerede i 1803, og altså ikke specifikt til John Russell. Priamos bønfalder Achilleus om Hektors lig, jf. A492, blev dog udført specifikt fordi han ønskede en pendant til Briseis og Achilleus.

3. Dvs. John Russell, 6. hertug af Bedford.

4. Priamos bønfalder Achilleus om Hektors lig, jf. A492.

5. I modsætning til Briseis og Achilleus, jf. A490, blev Priamos bønfalder Achilleus om Hektors lig, jf. A492, udført specifikt til John Russell.

6. Thorvaldsens portrætstatue af Georgiana Elizabeth Russell, jf. A173.

Last updated 10.02.2016