3.7.1810

Sender

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Sender’s Location

Rom

Recipient

Hans West

Recipient’s Location

Rom

Dating based on

Dateringen fremgår af brevet.

Abstract

Thorvaldsen writes a receipt for payment of a self-portrait bust commissioned by Hans West, Bertel Thorvaldsen, 1810, cf. A223. He promises to finish the bust within 6 months.

Document

Jeg underskrene har bekommet af Hr. EtasRaad West, Reder af Danebourg Orden, den fulde betaling^I for en buste^II i Carariske marmor^III som Højst samme har bestel hos mig, forestilende mig egene Protrat noget over naturlig størelse i form af Herme^IV, som jeg forpliter mig at fulende ende 6 Maaneders^V forløb fra datum
Rom d. 3^de Juli 1810

Oversættelse af dokument

I the undersigned have from Etatsråd West knight of the Dannebrog, received full payment for a bust in Carrara marble which the high-mentioned has commissioned from me representing my own portrait a little over life-size in the shape of a herma which I promise to finish within 6 months from today
Rome, July 3rd 1810

[Translated by Karen Husum]

General Comment

This is a draft of the letter dated 18.7.1810.

Document Type

Archival Reference

Thiele

Other references

Else Kai Sass: Thorvaldsens Portrætbuster, København 1963, p. 183.

Subjects

• Self-Portraits by Thorvaldsen
• Thorvaldsen's Works, Commissioning
• Thorvaldsen's Works, Payment

Works

Bertel Thorvaldsen, 1810, inv.nr. A223

Commentaries

1. The price paid is not known.

2. I.e. Bertel Thorvaldsen, cf. A223. Today the marble version is in the collection of the Academy of Fine Arts.

3. I.e. marble from the quarries at Carrara.

4. I.e. the bust has a flat and square lower section.

5. In some case, Thorvaldsen took a long time finishing his works. Therfore buyers sought to cover themselves in this way.

Last updated 11.05.2021