Bertel Thorvaldsen
Rom
Christian 8.
København
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Naadigste Prinds!
Med den dybeste Følelse af Glæde og Erkjendtlighed som jeg umuligen kan fortolke med Pennen har jeg modtaget Deres Høyheds meget ærede Skrivelse af 3de Septembre d.A. hvori De naadigst har den Bevaagenhed at tilkjendegive mig med saa smigrende Deeltagelse at Hans Kongelige Majestæt allernaadigst har bemyndiget den høje Commission for Slottets og Raad og Domhusets Opbyggelse at tilskrive mig angaaende min Rejse til Kiøbenhavn. Deres Højhed formodede endog at jeg maatte være i Besiddelse af Commission[ens] Brev; men det er til dadum ikke ankommen. I Forventning af dette Brev hvis modtagelse jeg bestandig ansaae meget nær udsatte jeg besvarelsen af Deres naadige og mig saa kjærkomne Skrivelse, saaledes tør haabe forladelse for min lange Taushed som ikke maa ansees af Følge paa lunkent Tilbøjelighed til at besøge mit Fædreland, tvertimod den inderligste Følelse og Hengivenhed for Dem ædle Prinds der sætter saa høj Priis paa Kunsten og dens Dyrkere og med saa megen Iver søger at udbrede Kunsten i Fædrelandet opflammer hos mig en brændende Længsel snarest muligst at nyde den Glæde personlig at kunne tilbyde Dem naadige Prinds alle mine Kræfter[s] anvendelser for at opfylde den Bestemmelse De maatte værdige mig.
Det vil fornøje mig meget at kjende Maller Eckersberg. Deres Højhed har opvakt min Agtelse for denne unge Kunstner og jeg skal ikke mangle at give ham al den Vejledning under hans Ophold her i Rom der staaer i min Magt. Ikke ugrundet Deres Højheds Forventning om Stadsbygmester Malling, han anvender sin Tiid vel her i Rom og forbereder sig til ved sin Tilbagekomst at gavne Fædrelandet. Deres Højhed befaler at anskaffe en Samling af antikke Ornamenter afstøbt i Gibs er efterkommet. I Forbindelse med Malling har vi giordt et Udvalg af mest udmærkede antikke Ornamenter, og udværket Tilladelse til deraf at tage Afstøbning. Endeel ere allerede afformede; Naar de alle ere samlede skal jeg besørge dem afsendt med de 4re Marmorstykker som Etatsraad West har overladt Hans Majestæt. De 4re runde Basreliefs til Slottet samt et Aftryk af mit nyelig udførte Basrelief som her er anbragt i den nu kalde Kejserlige Palais hvoraf Etatsraad Hansen for nogen Tid siden i Brev til Malling har udbedt sig en Afstøbning for Commissionen.
Jeg kan ikke slutte min underdanigste Skrivelse uden at have gjentaget min ymyge Bøn om naadigst Tilgivelse for min lange Taushed; ædle Prins stedse gientager og opflammer paa nye hos mig det Ønske at mine Evner matte nogenlunde svare til Deres Højheds alt for store Forventning
Rom d 21de December 1812
underdanigst
A. Thorvaldsen
Gracious Prince,
I have received Your Highness’ favour of September 3rd this year with the deepest feeling of joy and gratitude which I cannot possibly express with the pen, in which you most graciously favour me by informing me with such a flattering sympathy that His Royal Majesty has most graciously authorized the high Building Commission for Christiansborg Palace and the building of the court and town hall to write to me regarding my journey to Copenhagen. Your Highness even presumed that I was in receipt of the Commission’s letter; but it has not arrived to date. Looking forward to this letter the receipt of which I constantly expected to be near I postponed answering your gracious and to me so dear letter, so I dare hope for forgiveness for my long silence which should not be regarded as a consequence of half-hearted inclination to visit my native land, on the contrary the most sincere feeling and affection for you, noble Prince, who so highly appreciate art and its devotees and who with so great zest seek to spread art in the native land stir up in me an ardent longing as soon as possible to enjoy the pleasure in person to be able to offer to you, Gracious Prince, the use of all my efforts to fulfil the decision you may vouchsafe me.
I shall feel pleased to get to know the painter Eckersberg. Your Highness has awakened my respect for this young artist and I shall not omit to give him all possible guidance I can during his stay here in Rome. Your Highness’ expectation to Mr Malling, City Clerk of Works is not unfounded he uses his time well here in Rome and prepares himself to be of use to the native land at his return. Your Highness commands to obtain a collection of antique ornaments in plaster casts, it has been carried out. In connection with Mr Malling we have made a selection of the most exquisite antique ornaments, and obtained permission to make casts of them. Casts have already been taken of several; when they are all collected I shall attend to having them dispatched with the 4 marble pieces which Etatsråd West [titular Councillor of State] has left to His Majesty. The 4 round bas-reliefs for the palace as well as a copy of my recently executed bas-relief which here has been placed in the now called imperial palace and of which Etatsråd [titular Councillor of State] Hansen some time ago in a letter to Mr Malling has asked for a cast for the Building Commission for Christiansborg Palace.
I cannot finish my humble letter without repeating my humble entreaty for graceful forgiveness for my long silence; noble Prince, you ever repeat and stir up afresh in me the wish that my skills might reasonably match Your Highness’ much too great expectation.
Rome, December 21st 1812
Most humbly
A. Thorvaldsen
[Translated by Karen Husum]
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Sidst opdateret 07.10.2014