Bertel Thorvaldsen
Rom
Matthias Friis von Irgens-Bergh
København
Udskrift: Monsieur Monsieur le Chevalier d’Irgens-Bergh, Chambellan, Conseiller interne de legation et charge’ d’affaires de S.M. le Roi de Danemarc pres la Cour de Saxe a Dresde Germania
Tilskrift: Høivelbaarne Hr Kammerherre v. Irgens-Bergh. Geheimelegationsraad, Ridder af flere Ordener p.p.
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Rom d. 16 December 1826
Høivelbaarne Hr. Kammerherre!
Med sand Glæde modtog jeg Deres Høivelbaarenheds venskabelige Skrivelse af 16 Novb.r sidstl., der overbeviser mig om at De stundom erindrer Deres romerske Venner, ligesom De lever i friskt og kjært Minde hos mig og alle dem, der vare saa heldige under Deres Ophold hos os at gjøre Deres Bekjendtskab eller at fornye det allerede gjorte. Det smertede os særdeles meget ikke at see Dem paa Deres Tilbagereise til Norden; men den varme Interesse, De havde viist for Rom og for os, var os Borgen for at høiere og vigtigere Bevæggrunde bestemte Dem til at forandre en tidligere Bestemmelse, hvis Udførelse for os vilde have været ubeskrivelig kjær. Jeg lykønsker Dem af Hjertet til at De, efter en lykkelig og interessant Reise, har gjenfundet alle Deres efter Ønske; omgivet af en kjær Familie ville Erindringerne fra en Reise som Deres og foretaget af en Mand som De, være desto behageligere og varigere.
Det glæder mig meget, at Palmaroli har været heldig i sine Arbeider i Dresden, og jeg er overbeviist om, at hverken De eller Hofraad Böttiger, som jeg beder venskabeligen hilset, ville komme til at fortryde den Interesse, De have viist for denne Kunstner. Jeg beder Dem formælde min Hilsen til Palmaroli og lykønske ham til hans Foretagender, der sikkerligen ville være til stort Gavn for det skjønne Dresdenske Billedgallerie.
Jeg kommer nu til at tale om Pettrichs og Herrmanns Anliggende. Uagtet disse to Kunstnere ere mig lige kjære, og begge brave og talentfulde, er det mig dog kjært, at min Anskuelse træffer sammen med Grev Vizthums Yttring, forsaavist som jeg ønskede det foreslagne Værk i Herrmanns Hænder. Pettrich er beskjæftiget med et andet stort og interessant Arbeide, og det forekommer mig derfor billigt, at Herrmann bliver sat i Værk med en Gjenstand, der vel er vigtig og har sine Vanskeligheder, men hvilke jeg anseer ham fuldkommen voxen. Jeg har i denne Anledning talt med ham og han er naturligviis meer end villig til at foretage Reisen frem og tilbage for at kunne faae et saa kjært og skjønt Arbeide under Hænder. Forslagene angaaende Hs Majestæt Kongen af Sachsens Sidden ere saa antagelige, at der i denne Henseende Intet er for Herrmann tilovers at ønske. Vi takke Dem begge, saavel Herrmann som jeg, for den varme Deeltagelse, De i denne Sag har viist. Maatte man i flere Lande finde Mænd, der, som De, ere ædle og agtværdige nok til at tale unge Kunstneres Sag, for at ikke Talentet skal blive qvalt i sin frodigste Blomstertid, eller overladt til et blot Lykketræf for at udvikle sig og træde frem.
Det vilde være mig en Glæde at see den udmærkede Dahls hjembragte Arbeider og jeg beder Deres Høivelbaarenhed at hilse denne som Menneske og Kunstner lige fortræffelige Mand ret hjerteligen fra mig. Hans Buste er nu næsten færdig i Marmor; saasnart den er fuldendt skal jeg lade tage en Form over den og derefter sende nogle Exemplarer til Hamborg, siden kan han faae saamange Afstøbninger som han ønsker.
Saavel jeg som alle Deres herværende Venner og Bekjendte ønske Dem et lykkeligt og glædeligt Nytaar. Jeg beder mig ærbødigen anbefalet hos Fru Kammerherrinden, og med de bedste Ønsker for Deres og Deres Families Vel, har jeg den Ære at være
Deres Høivelbaarenheds
ærbødige og hengivne
A Thorvaldsen
Rome, December 16th 1826
Honourable Chamberlain,
I received your favour of November 16th last year with true pleasue, honourable Sir, which convinces me that at times you remember your Roman friends, just as you are in recent and dear memory to me and all those, who were so fortunate to make your acquaintance during your stay with us, or to renew an already made one. It grieved us deeply not to see you on your return journey to the North; however, the warm interest you had shown in Rome and in us was guarantee to us that more lofty and important motives made you decide to change a former arrangement the carrying out of which would have been indescribably dear to us. I congratulate you with all my heart that after a happy and interesting journey you have met all yours as you might wish; surrounded by a dear family the memories from a journey like yours and made by a man like you, would be all the more pleasant and wear well.
It pleases me very much that Palmaroli has been fortunate in his works in Dresden, and I am convinced that neither you nor court counsellor Böttiger, whom I ask you to give my friendly regards, would regret the interest you have shown in this artist. I beg you to convey my regards to Palmaroli and congratulate him with his undertakings, which assuredly would be of great benefit to the beautiful Dresden Picture Gallery.
I now get to talk about the matter of Pettrich and Herrmann. Although these two artists are equally dear to me and both are honest and talented, it, however, pleases me that my opinion coincides with the observation of Count Vizthum, as far as I wanted the proposed work in the hands of Herrmann. Pettrich is preoccupied with another great and interesting piece of work and so it appears proper to me that Herrmann is set to work with an object, which I think is important and contains difficulties, but to which I regard him to be equal. In connection with this I have talked to him and naturally he is quite disposed to make the journey out and return to be able to get his hands on such a dear and fine work. The proposals regarding His Majesty the King of Saxony’s Sidden are so acceptable that in thius respect there is nothing further for Herrmann to wish. We both thank you, Herrmann as well as I, for the warm participation you have shown in this matter. If only men could be found in more countries who like you are noble and honourable enough to speak up for the young artists, so that the talent shall not be stifled in its vigorous prime, or be left merely to a piece of good luck to develop and take actual shape.
I should enjoy seeing the excellent Dahl’s works which he has returned with and I ask you, Sir to give my sincere regards to this man equally admirable as an individual as an artist. His bust is now almost finished in marble , as soon as it has been completed I shall have a form cast of it and then send some copies to Hamburg, lateron he may have as many casts as he wishes.
I, together with all your friends and acquaintances here wish you a pleasant and happy New Year. I most humbly ask to be recommended to Mrs Chamberlain and with the best wishes for you and your family I have the honour to be
Honourable Sir,
Yours sincerely and faithfully
A Thorvaldsen
[Translated by Karen Husum]
NN
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Sidst opdateret 27.04.2015