Bertel Thorvaldsen
København
Kunstakademiet, København
København
Udskrift: Til Det Kong. Maler Billedhugger og Bygnings Academie
Dateringen fremgår af brevet.
Thorvaldsen requests an advance on his travelling scholarship.
Underdanigst P: M:I
Da Jeg Agter at tiltræde min Reise saasnart Jeg erfarer at Italiens skiæbne er bestemtII som nu Synes at Nærme sig, fordrister Jeg mig til at Ansøge Det Kong. Academie om at faa Det første Qvartal af mit Reise StipendiumIII forud betalt, og at Jeg saaledes indtil mine Reiseaar Ere omme Maatte Nyde denne Bevaagenhed da Jeg Ved min fliid skal stræbe at fortiene den og Alle forhenn mig Af Academiet beviste UnderstøttelserIVd 25de Julj 1796 | Det Kongl. Acedemies |
Underdanigste | |
Tienere | |
B: Thorvaldsen |
Most humble Pro Memoria
As I plan to commence my journey as soon as I learn that the fate of Italy has been decided on, which now seems to come closer, I venture to apply to the Academy of Fine Arts to get the first quarterly instalment of my travelling scholarship paid in advance, and that I thus until my years of travel are over may enjoy this favour as I by my diligence shall strive to deserve this and all former support from the Academy.25th July. 1796 | The most humble servant |
of the Academy of Fine Arts | |
B. Thorvaldsen |
[Translated by Karen Husum]
Regarding this application, the journal of the Academy of Fine Arts 25.7.1796 (The Danish National Archives, Kunstakademiets arkiv, Akademiforsamlingen, Dagbog) reads: “The medallist Thorwaldsen presented an application to receive the first quarter of his travelling scholarship in advance; granted.”
The advance was granted the same day, cf. also Thiele I, p. 50.
Last updated 09.02.2016
I.e. Pro Memoria – Latin for “in remembrance”, used to recall oneself to somebody. The expression was originally a polite introduction in letters to persons of a higher rank, often civil servants. Gradually it was also used more generally in letters to or from officials, often written in one word. The expression appears frequently in the more formal letters in the Archive.
Thorvaldsen is referring to Napoleon’s campaign in Northern Italy in 1796. During 1796 the French troops advanced victoriously and gradually forced their main opponents, the Austrians, to retreat. Although Thorvaldsen seems to think that peace was near, the hostilities continued.
Thorvaldsen applied for the travelling scholarship in a letter of 2.11.1795, and it was granted the same day. The scholarship was usually paid quarterly.
Thorvaldsen had twice received a yearly pension of 100 rix-dollars, see his applications of 2.12.1793 and 5.1.1795.