Bertel Thorvaldsen
Rom
Herman Schubart
Montenero
Ingen udskrift.
Anbefalingsskrivelsen må være forfattet kort før parrets forlovelse omkring 1812, jf. Rostrup, op. cit.
Thorvaldsen puts in a good word for the engagement of Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres and Laura Zoëgas to her guardian Herman Schubart and her foster-father Carlo Labruzzi.
Deres Exellen vil see af medfølgende BrevI at Mons.II EngerIII forlanger SigIV Laura ZoegaV til EgteflæVI[.]
Desse torVII har en tiid lang giorde Amor med hedandenVIII paa en honet mode saa vit ieg ved og der ved forvoldt endel udaardenIX i Siga BudesX HuusXI, og medtXII de i denne store uaardern har Mr Enger erklæret at have gode af Hensigter med Sig Zoega, hverken jeg sagete have om det er kun for at give det en ColørXIII eller ikke ved jeg ja ej.
I mellertiid kunde dette MarejasXIV gaa for seg saa var det en stor Lykke for hende da det er en god person og en af de dueligst franske Historemallere, men jeg Bange for at de to aarXV vel vere forlenge og dersom det ved en understøtselseXVI kunde forkordesXVII
Deres [Excellence] er saa gud og svare HamXVIII og tellege berXIX Sig LabrutzeXX som er en Mand der ansporen tager seg af denne sag, da jeg ikke duer dertil
jeg har mede udsegenleXXI glæde erfaret ved Hr Dr. SchonbergXXII at Deres Nadege FrueXXIII befender seg bederXXIV og [beder] underda[ni]gst [at] min helsen aflagt fra
Deres
Your Excellency will see from the enclosed letter that Monsieur Ingres asks for Laura Zoëga as his wife[.]
For some time these two have been amorous in an honourable way as far as I know and by this have given rise to some confusion in Signora Buti’s house, and amidst the this great confusion Monsieur Ingres has declared to have honourable intentions as regards signorina Zoëga I have neither [sagete] if it is only to give it some zest or not know I do not.
But if this marriage could take place it would be a great blessing for her as he is a good person and one of the most capable French historical painters, however, I am afraid that the two years will be too long and if it by some support could be shortened
Your [Excellency] will be as kind as to answer him and also ask Signor Labruzzi who is a person who encouraged will attend to this case, as I myself am not good at this.
With inexpressible joy I have learnt from Dr Schonberg that your gracious wife is feeling better and I most humbly ask that my compliments are given to her from
Yours,
[Translated by Karen Husum]
Laura Zoëga and Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres were engaged around 1812, but the engagement was broken off soon after. Apparently, Ingres’ parents opposed the marriage, which appears from the farewell letter that Ingres sent to Laura Zoëga (printed in Rostrup, op. cit.). In 1813 Ingres was married to Madeleine Chapelle (1782-1849), cf. Rostrup, op. cit.
Last updated 12.11.2015
This letter from Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres to Herman Schubart remains unidentified.
Dvs. monsieur.
The french painter Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres.
Dvs. signorina.
The italian Laura Zoëga, daughter of Maria and Georg Zoëga, both deceased.
Dvs. ægtefælle.
Dvs. disse to.
Dvs. hinanden.
Dvs. uorden.
The Italian landlady Anna Maria Buti.
I.e. Casa Buti, where Thorvaldsen also lived.
Dvs. midt.
Nok i betydningen “at sætte kulør på”, “pynte på”, “oplive (sin fremstilling)”, “overdrive” eller “give en tendentiøs fremstilling af”, jf. Ordbog over det danske Sprog, kulør, 4.4.
Dvs. det franske ord marriage, bryllup.
The engagement was probably supposed to last two years.
I.e. through Herman Schubart’s acceptance.
It is not known why the two years of engagement were “too long” and should be “shortened”.
I.e. Ingres.
Dvs. tillige bede.
The Italian painter and engraver Carlo Labruzzi.
Dvs. med usigelig.
The danish doctor Albrecht Schønberg.
The Dutch baroness Jacqueline Schubart.
Dvs. bedre.