Bertel Thorvaldsen
Rom
Lille rødt laksegl med motiv af Amor og Psyche, der omfavner hinanden.
Poststemplet: ROME / BUREAU FRA[resten af seglet ulæseligt]; samt 26 JUILLET.
Herman Schubart
Livorno
Udskrift: A Monsieur / Monsieur le Baron de Schubart / Cheambella de Roi de Danimarca / et Son Ministre pleniponteniare / &c. / a / Livorne
Dateringen fremgår af brevet.
The commentary for this letter is not available at the moment.
Rom d 22d Juli 1809
Høy Velbaarne Her Kammerherre!
Jeg blues ved at sette Penen paa Papiret formedels min lange tavshed, men da jeg er overbevist om Deres Excellense tilgivelse og Godhed for mig drister jeg mig til at skrive disse faa Linier. Hvad sal Zoëgas efterlatte Sage angaaer er jeg ikke efterladen som i at skrive Breve, det har ikke manglet og skal ej heller mangle paa nogen Maade at Opfylde Deres Excellenses Befalinger i alle Henseender, jeg synes at man burde Oprette et lidet Minde for denne uskaterlige Mand eller opsette hans Byste i Panteon hvor han fortejner at staa saa vel som de andre Lærde.
Det er stor skade at Abildgaards arbejder for største Del er gaaet i Aske paa Slotte, og han siden den Tiid ikke har bestilt noget, som fra Konstens side er et stort tabt. Alle mine Konstsager som jeg har samlet her staae hos ham Gud ved hvad ende de vil tage Det glæder mig usigelig at Deres Excellense er tilfres med de Tegninger som Hr Koch har coperet efter mine arbejder, han er en dulig Konstner, har paa nærværende Tiid indet at bestille, og for at opholde Livet har han Proponeret mig at vilde Tegne og Radere i Kober alle mine Arbejder, omkostningerne ere ikke af Betydenhed og ville ved at selge nogle Exemplare let kunde giøre sig betalt men da Tiiden ikke er meget gunsti og mine Finanser staar paa svage Fødder saa beder jeg ymydist at De vilde biidrage til dette Værk Fremgan, som jeg vilde tage mig den Frihed at tilengne Deres Excellense, med Deres sædvalige godhed og ømme Hjerte tage Deres Excellense altiid Del i hvad der angaaer mig og mine arbjeder føler jeg ogsaa dybt herved at see den intresse for de to Basorelieve som jeg har modelleret og som nu udføres i marmor for Slotten forrestillende Hercules og Gudinden Hebe som skienkte ham negtar for at giøre en Gud af Styrken, Esculap Guden for Medecinen og hans Datter Hygea Gudinden for Sunhed, hun carecere Slangen som slynger sig om Esculaps Stok
Meget maa jeg bede om forladelse formedels Gudinden Vesta Langvarihed, jeg har modelleret den engan, men ikke truffet anrettningen passende for en Lampe, og giør den nu paa Nye saa jeg haaber den skal blive smuk, og smigre mig med at Deres Excellenses vil fornøje sig deraaver, og haaber selv at brenge den med naar jeg kommer paa det yndige Montenero, je[g] føller den Hede og trykkende Luft saaledes her a[t] jeg ikke er istan til at bestille noget retskafen og ønsker mig hverdt Oyeblik hos Dem for at nyde Deres behagelige Selskab og Aande den Sunde Luft. Jeg beder med dybest Ærefrygt min Komplement aflagt hos Deres Gode Naadige Gemalinde, og alle de fortreffelige Mennesker som jeg kjende der nyder Deres værdige Selskab og henlever med sand Høyagtelse Deres Excellences
underdanste Tjener
B. Thorvaldsen
Rome, July 22nd 1809
Honourable Sir, chamberlain,
I am ashamed to set pen to paper because of my long silence, but as I am convinced of Your Excellency’s pardon and kindness for me I venture to write these few lines. As regards the late Zoëga’s left case I am not careless as I am in writing letters, nothing has been wanting and nothing shall be left undone to fulfil Your Excellency’s orders in all respects, I think a small memorial for this inestimable man or placing his bust in Pantheon where he deserves to be with the other scholars.
It is a great pity that Abildgaard’s works mostly have turned to ashes at the palace, and that he since then has not made anything, which is a great loss in the light of art. All my art things which I have collected here are at his house, I wonder – what end they will come to I am unspeakably pleased that Your Excellency is satisfied with the drawings which Mr Koch has copied after my works, he is an able artist, at present he has nothing to do and to subsist he has suggested to me to draw and to engrave in copper all my works, the expenses are of no importance and by selling some samples he would easily get paid but as times are not very favourable and my financial position is weak I most humbly ask that you would contribute to the promotion of this work, which I would take the liberty to dedicate to Your Excellency, with your usual kindness and loving heart Your Excellency always engages in what regards me and my works and I also feel sincerely to see the interest you take in the two bas-reliefs which I have modelled and which are now being executed in marble for the palace representing Hercules and the goddess Hebe who poured him nectar to make a god of strength, Asklepios, the god for medicine and his daughter Hygea the goddess for health, she caresses the snake twining around Asklepios’ staff.
I very much beg your pardon because of the duration of the goddess Vesta, I modelled her once, but did not find the arrangement suitable for a lamp, and now I am making it again so I hope it will be beautiful and flatter myself that Your Excellency will enjoy it, and hope to take it with me when I go to the lovely Montenero, I feel the hot and oppressive air here so that I am unable to do some honourable work and every moment I wish to be with you to enjoy your pleasant company and breathe the healthy air. I ask you most humbly to give my compliments to your kind and gracious wife, and to all the excellent people whom I know and who are enjoying your excellent company and remain with true respect Your Excellency’s
most humble servant,
B. Thorvaldsen
[Translated by Karen Husum]
Last updated 25.08.2014