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Reliefs, Allegories

31.12.1806

C.F. Hansen

Bertel Thorvaldsen

C.F. Hansen commissions works from Thorvaldsen. For the façade of Christiansborg Palace, he wants...

16.2.1807

Bertel Thorvaldsen

C.F. Hansen

Thorvaldsen suggests subjects from Greek mythology for the reliefs for the Christiansborg Palace ...

21.2.1807

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Herman Schubart

Thorvaldsen has received commissions from C.F. Hansen and the Building Commission for Christiansb...

9.3.1807

C.F. Hansen

Bertel Thorvaldsen

C.F. Hansen suggests that the statues of Solon and Lycurgus for the Copenhagen city hall and cour...

15.5.1807

C.F. Hansen

Bertel Thorvaldsen

The building commission will forward an advance payment at 1000 scuid to Thorvaldsen. Hansen sugg...

19.7.1811

Christian Daniel Rauch

Caroline von Humboldt

Rauch writes that Thorvaldsen has finished Cupid Holding a Butterfly to Hurt it with an Arrow and...

12.9.1811

Christian Daniel Rauch

Caroline von Humboldt

Rauch writes about the choice of marble. He finds it offensive that Thorvaldsen publishes his wor...

31.3.1812

Christian Daniel Rauch

Caroline von Humboldt

Thorvaldsen looks well in spite of his severe pains. He is working on the frieze Alexander the Gr...

11.5.1812

Christian Daniel Rauch

Caroline von Humboldt

Rauch’s portrait of Thorvaldsen, Dep.31, is praised and is very lifelike. He is going to send a c...

10.6.1812

Christian Daniel Rauch

Caroline von Humboldt

Rauch sends the promised engravings of Thorvaldsen’s reliefs through Count von Schulenburg-Witzen...

4.9.1813

Elisa Baciocchi

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Elisa Baciocchi wants to change the subject of one of the reliefs which she intends to commission...

23.1.1817

Guillaume Bertrand-Favre

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Bertrand-Favre cancels his commission for two bas-reliefs because they will be placed too high o...

18.2.1817

P.O. Brøndsted

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Brøndsted wonders why he has had no answer to the commission for a monument transmitted in his la...

3.5.1817

Paolo Prossalendi

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Prossalendi forwards a commission for a monument to the British governor-general Thomas Maitland,...

Senest 3.5.1817

Dionisio Bulzo

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Bulzo gives instructions concerning the commission for a monument to the British governor-general...

25.5.1817

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Slotsbygningskommissionen

Thorvaldsen has to postpone his trip to Denmark because he has to finish John Russell’s com...

3.6.1817

Caroline von Humboldt

Wilhelm von Humboldt

Humboldt calls Thorvaldsen’s frieze Alexander the Great’s Entry into Babylon “the most perf...

3.7.1817

Clemens Metternich

Maria Leopoldina von Metternich-Winneburg

In Rome, Metternich has just commissioned two reliefs from Thorvaldsen; they are to be placed in ...

14.7.1817

Spiridion Naranzi

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Naranzi informs Thorvaldsen that he will act as an intermediary concerning the commission for a m...

5.9.1817

Spiridion Naranzi

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Naranzi writes that Dionisio Bulzo himself will visit Thorvaldsen and answer all the sculptorR...

22.11.1817

NN

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Workshop accounts for the third week of November 1817.

31.12.1817

Giovanni Battista Sommariva

Giovanni Raimondo Torlonia

Sommariva authorizes his banker to pay Thorvaldsen a total of 14,000 scudi in instalments of the ...

Efter 1818

NN

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Workshop accounts of expenses for models, purchase of tools, etc.

1.1.1818

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Giovanni Battista Sommariva

Contract between Thorvaldsen and G.B. Sommariva regarding the marble version of the frieze Alexan...

1.1.1818

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Giovanni Battista Sommariva

Copy of the contract between Thorvaldsen and G.B. Sommariva concerning the marble version of the ...

2.1.1818 - 17.12.1825

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Giovanni Battista Sommariva

List of Sommariva’s payments to Thorvaldsen for the marble version of Alexander the Great’s Entr...

2.1.1818

Caroline von Humboldt

Christian Daniel Rauch

Thorvaldsen has finally received a commission for the marble version of the frieze Alexander the ...

16.1.1818

Spiridion Naranzi

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Naranzi writes that the cast of a bust of Thomas Maitland, cf. G342, has finally arrived in Venic...

3.2.1818

Spiridion Naranzi

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Naranzi has apparently received a letter from Thorvaldsen which has crossed his own letter to the...

Antagelig 6.2.1818

Giovanni Battista Sommariva

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Sommariva misses hearing news from Thorvaldsen and asks about the progress of the marble version ...

31.3.1818

Giovanni Battista Sommariva

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Sommariva writes about his travels and the obstacles along the way that have delayed his return t...

7.4.1818

Dionisio Bulzo

Bertel Thorvaldsen

At Thorvaldsen’s request, Bulzo explains the meaning of the subject for the relief which is...

27.4.1818

Spiridion Naranzi

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Naranzi has forwarded Thorvaldsen’s questions about the monument to Thomas Maitland, cf. t...

16.5.1818

Vincenz Rüttimann

Karl Pfyffer von Altishofen

Despite the prospect of only a modest payment, Thorvaldsen has agreed to execute a model for the ...

13.6.1818

Jørgen Koch

Jonas Collin

Koch writes about Thorvaldsen’s works and commissions. The sculptor has completed Mercury a...

13.6.1818

Vincenz Rüttimann

Karl Pfyffer von Altishofen

Thorvaldsen has not yet made the promised draft of the monument to the fallen Swiss Guards, cf. D...

20.6.1818

Spiridion Naranzi

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Naranzi presses Thorvaldsen for an answer to his letter of 27.4.1818 and repeats the contents of...

1818-19

Anne Proby

Bertel Thorvaldsen

The commentary for this letter is not available at the moment.

27.8.1818

Caroline von Humboldt

Christian Daniel Rauch

Thorvaldsen will not accompany Herman Schubart to Denmark but will leave in the spring in the com...

3.9.1818

Giovanni Battista Sommariva

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Sommariva is pleased that Thorvaldsen is with their mutual friend Herman Schubart, and that he ta...

5.9.1818

NN

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Workshop accounts for the first week of September 1818.

3.10.1818

NN

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Workshop accounts for the week of late September-early October 1818.

Not later than 23.10.1818

B.S. Ingemann

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Two poems to Night, A901, and Day, A902. In “Night”, the stars, the moon, and a landscape are evo...

25.10.1818

Giovanni Battista Sommariva

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Sommariva has arrived in Italy. He has read in the French press that Frederik 6. has commissioned...

31.10.1818

NN

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Workshop accounts for the fifth week of October 1818.

7.11.1818

NN

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Workshop accounts for the first week of November 1818.

18.12.1818

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Luigi Porro Lambertenghi

Thorvaldsen conveys his thanks for the valuable box and the words of praise that he has received ...

24.12.1818

Clemens Metternich

Dorothea Lieven

Metternich describes his garden. He has furnished a salon with Italian objects, in which he also ...

12.1.1819

Clemens Metternich

Dorothea Lieven

Metternich has prepared space for Thorvaldsen’s reliefs Night, cf. A369 and Day, cf. A370, in a p...

30.1.1819

NN

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Workshop accounts for the fourth week of January 1819.

20.2.1819

Heinrich Keller

Karl Pfyffer von Altishofen

Keller informs Pfyffer von Altishofen that Thorvaldsen is delighted at the idea of having the mon...

1.4.1819

Giovanni Battista Sommariva

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Sommariva writes that unfortunately he has had to give up his plans to go to Rome. He is proud of...

9.4.1819

Giovanni Battista Sommariva

Bertel Thorvaldsen

A few days after his previous letter, Sommariva writes to Thorvaldsen again on behalf of the Appi...

25.5.1819

Spiridion Naranzi

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Naranzi presses Thorvaldsen for an answer concerning the monument to Thomas Maitland, cf. A258 an...

12.6.1819

Elisabeth Chitrowo

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Elizabeth Chitrowo writes to Thorvaldsen in order to persuade him to execute a bas-relief for a f...

31.7.1819

Heinrich Keller

Karl Pfyffer von Altishofen

Keller reports that the small model for the monument to the Swiss guards in Lucerne, cf. Dying Li...

7.8.1819

Heinrich Keller

Karl Pfyffer von Altishofen

Keller reports that both models of the monument Dying Lion (The Lucerne Lion), cf. A119, have be...

14.8.1819

Heinrich Keller

Karl Pfyffer von Altishofen

Keller gives instructions concerning measurements and special circumstances in connection with th...

23.10.1819

Redaktørerne ved Nyeste Skilderie af Kjøbenhavn

Omnes

The commentary for this document is not available at the moment.

16.1.1820

Pietro Tenerani

Bertel Thorvaldsen

The commentary for this letter is not available at the moment.

30.12.1820

Giovanni Battista Sommariva

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Sommariva has heard that Thorvaldsen has returned to Rome after his trip to Denmark and congratul...

20.6.1821

Giovanni Battista Sommariva

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Christian (8.) Frederik and Caroline Amalie have visited Sommariva’s villa by Lake Como. Th...

13.12.1821

Giovanni Battista Sommariva

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Sommariva writes to Thorvaldsen from Paris, where he has met Christian (8.) Frederik. They have h...

19.12.1821

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Giovanni Edoardo De Pecis

Thorvaldsen writes to De Pecis about the two reliefs Day, cf. A902, and Night, cf. A901 executed ...

24.5.1822

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Hans Henrik Gunnerus

Thorvaldsen responds to Gunnerus’ letter of 16.3.1822. He feels sympathy for Gunnerus and his unh...

24.5.1822

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Hans Henrik Gunnerus

Thorvaldsen responds to Gunnerus’ letter of 16.3.1822. He feels sympathy for Gunnerus and his unh...

Tidligst 1823, senest 1825

Anton Endres

Franz Erwein von Schönborn

A survey of works commissioned from Thorvaldsen in 1823 by Schönborn, cf. A177, A233, A827, A411 ...

25.1.1823

Franz Erwein von Schönborn

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Schönborn forwards the contract for his commission from Thorvaldsen and asks the sculptor to ackn...

25.1.1823

Franz Erwein von Schönborn

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Schönborn writes that he has already paid 1,000 scudi, and that Thorvaldsen can draw the remainde...

25.1.1823

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Franz Erwein von Schönborn

Contract signed by Thorvaldsen concerning Schönborn’s commission of the statue Shepherd Boy, cf. ...

9.3.1823

Franz Erwein von Schönborn

Johann Martin von Wagner

Schönborn has heard that Thorvaldsen will execute another Anacreontic relief as a companion piece...

2.4.1823

Giovanni Battista Sommariva

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Sommarive has heard about the accidental shot that has wounded Thorvaldsen. In Florence, he has t...

18.8.1823

François Gabriel de Bray

Bertel Thorvaldsen

De Bray has received the crates with the two reliefs Night, cf. A369, and Day, cf. A370, and his ...

13.9.1823

Johann Martin von Wagner

Franz Erwein von Schönborn

Wagner writes that progress is being made on the works commissioned by Schönborn from Thorvaldsen.

16.12.1823

Jørgen Conrad de Falsen

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Falsen reminds Thorvaldsen that he has commissioned a monument to his late wife. However, the mem...

17.2.1824

Franz Erwein von Schönborn

Johann Martin von Wagner

Schönborn writes that the portrait bust of Crown Prince Ludwig (1.) of Bavaria, cf. A233, commiss...

21.2.1824

Hans Henrik Gunnerus

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Gunnerus informs Thorvaldsen that he has handed over his deed of gift of 24.5.1822 and the owners...

April - juni 1824

NN

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Accounts for the roughhewing of the relief Cupid Received by Anacreon, Winter, A827,

19.2.1825

Hans Henrik Gunnerus

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Gunnerus has heard that the relief Caritas, cf. A598, will arrive in Copenhagen from Leghorn the ...

20.3.1825

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Simon Moritz von Bethmann

Thorvaldsen recommends the painter Moritz Oppenheim warmly to Simon von Bethmann and takes the op...

28.4.1825

Johann Martin von Wagner

Franz Erwein von Schönborn

Wagner mentions that a carved gemstone after Thorvaldsen’s Cupid Received by Anacreon, Winter, cf...

3.5.1825

Augusta Amalia von Leuchtenberg

Franz Erwein von Schönborn

Receipt of payment for four marble reliefs from the estate of Eugène de Beauharnais: Hygieia and ...

18.5.1825

Giovanni Battista Sommariva

Bertel Thorvaldsen

The room in which the frieze Alexander the Great’s Entry into Babylon, cf. A505, is to be put up ...

30.7.1825

Johann Martin von Wagner

Franz Erwein von Schönborn

Wagner writes that Thorvaldsen is particularly late in completing the works commissioned from him...

5.8.1825

Giovanni Battista Sommariva

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Sommariva is pleased that the frieze Alexander the Great’s Entry into Babylon, cf. A505, will be ...

15.12.1825

Jørgen Conrad de Falsen

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Falsen confirms delivery of two reliefs from Thorvaldsen. He is dissatisfied that one is small an...

20.3.1826

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Jørgen Conrad de Falsen

Thorvaldsen tries to formulate an answer to Falsen’s criticism of the two reliefs he has received...

11.1.1828

Hermann Ernst Freund

Bertel Thorvaldsen

The crates with Thorvaldsens art works has arrived in Leghorn. They have been reloaded on a Danis...

Presumably August 1828

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Thomas Hope

Thorvaldsen sends Hope the statue of Jason with the Golden Fleece, A822, 25 years after the contr...

Antagelig august 1828

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Thomas Hope

Thorvaldsen sends Hope the statue of Jason with the Golden Fleece, A822, 25 years after the contr...

22.8.1828

Redaktørerne ved Kjøbenhavnsposten

Omnes

Thorvaldsen’s four marble reliefs for the main portal of Christiansborg Palace have just been ins...

8.1.1829

Frederik Ferdinand Friis

Just Mathias Thiele

Thorvaldsen’s own comments to the manuscript of J.M. Thiele’s first biography of Thorvaldsen.

3.8.1829

Thomas Hope

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Hope gratefully acknowledges receipt of Jason with the Golden Fleece, A822, the portrait busts of...

20.2.1830

Franz Erwein von Schönborn

Ludwig Schorn

Schönborn has read that Thorvaldsen is in Munich, and therefore he would like Schorn to ask the s...

28.2.1830

Ludwig Schorn

Franz Erwein von Schönborn

Schorn has complied with Schönborn’s wish and sends Thorvaldsen’s response regarding the progress...

1831

Rembrandt Peale

Omnes

Peale describes his impression of Thorvaldsen, his works, and his studio practice. He is critical...

18.3.1831

Carlo Carli

Paolo Tosio

Carli writes to Tosio on behalf of Marquise Parravicini. He informs him that the marquise’s last ...

21.3.1831

Maria De Pecis

Paolo Tosio

Maria de Pecis acknowledges receipt of Paolo Tosio’s payment for the marble reliefs of Day,...

21.3.1831

NN

NN

Marble versions of Day, cf. A902, and Night, cf. A901, gilt-framed, have been sold by Maria de Pe...

26.3.1831

Carlo Carli

Paolo Tosio

The notary Carli writes to Tosio in order to confirm that he may buy two marble reliefs Day, cf. ...

31.3.1831

Paolo Tosio

Paolo Tosio

The document was used as cover for the papers regarding Toiso’s purchase 21.3.1831 of the m...

12.12.1831

Christian 8.

Bertel Thorvaldsen

For unknown reasons, the letter has been severely damaged. See instead the draft of the letter fo...

12.12.1831

Christian 8.

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Christian Frederik has heard that the Alexander Frieze, cf. A503, and Christ, cf. A82, and John t...

21.3.1832

Maria De Pecis

Paolo Tosio

Maria de Pecis writes regarding the two marble versions of Day, cf. A902, and Night, cf. A901, th...

25.3.1832

Maria De Pecis

Paolo Tosio

Maria de Pecis agrees to let Paolo Tosio have two letters from Thorvaldsen. The letters were writ...

17.6.1832

C.F. Hansen

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Clarification of circumstances relating to the commissions for Christiansborg Palace and the Chur...

21.8.1832

Slotsbygningskommissionen

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Frederik 6. has approved C.F. Hansen’s drawings for the great hall and two adjoining apartments o...

13.9.1832

Alessandro Antonelli

Bertel Thorvaldsen

The commentary for this letter is not available at the moment.

Senest 15.10.1832

Alessandro Antonelli

Bertel Thorvaldsen

The commentary for this letter is not available at the moment.

23.10.1832

Slotsbygningskommissionen

Bertel Thorvaldsen

A follow-up to the letter of 21.8.1832, in which the Building Commission for Christiansborg Palac...

14.11.1832

Alessandro Antonelli

Bertel Thorvaldsen

The commentary for this letter is not available at the moment.

Før 8.8.1833

NN

NN

List of the works by Thorvaldsen that are to be sent to Copenhagen with the corvette Galathea in ...

Før 8.8.1833

NN

NN

List of the works by Thorvaldsen that are to be sent to Copenhagen with the corvette Galathea in ...

19.10.1833

H.C. Andersen

H.C. Andersen

Andersen visits Thorvaldsen for the first time in Rome. He seeks him in vain in his workshop but ...

27.10.1833

H.C. Andersen

H.C. Andersen

Andersen has visited St. Peter’s Basilica, where he saw Thorvaldsen’s monument to Pius 7., cf. A1...

8.1.1834

H.C. Andersen

H.C. Andersen

Andersen has visited Thorvaldsen and was comforted and encouraged by him after having told him ab...

8.3. - 26.7.1834

Ludwig von Hofer

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Hofer acknowledges receipt of payment for work on the marble versions of the reliefs Pan and a Sa...

31.3.1834

H.C. Andersen

H.C. Andersen

Andersen has visited Thorvaldsen for the last time before his departure from Rome. He was shown t...

Presumably after 1836, before 1841

F. Alleyne McGeachy

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Alleyne McGeachy recommends his wife’s younger brother to Thorvaldsen, hoping that the sculptor w...

1836

Andreas Munch

Omnes

The commentary to this poem is not available at the moment.

6.9.1836

Alexander Grant

Bertel Thorvaldsen

With the bearer of the letter, Grant sends Thorvaldsen 100 scudi to be deducted from Charles Bowy...

29.1.1837

Melchiorre Missirini

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Missirini thanks Thorvaldsen for the relief Cupid Riding on a Lion, which the sculptor has given ...

19.12.1837

Hans Puggaard

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Puggaard is impatient for news from Thorvaldsen. He reminds him to send the marble relief The Gra...

20.2.1838

Marie Lehmann, Bolette Puggaard, Hans Puggaard

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Hans Puggaard has heard that the relief The Graces Listening to Cupid’s Song, A601, is finished a...

7.4.1838

Hans Puggaard

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Puggaard writes about all the preparations made in order to get Thorvaldsen and his works home wi...

7.10.1838

Henrik Hertz

Omnes

Song by Henrik Hertz for the celebration of Thorvaldsen at the party at the Hôtel d’Angleterre in...

Antagelig 1839-1840, senest 1843

Adam Oehlenschläger

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Oehlenschläger writes a poem to accompany the poem he has written as an illustration of Thorvalds...

Antagelig 1839-1840, senest 1843

Adam Oehlenschläger

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Oehlenschläger’s poem written as an illustration of Thorvaldsen’s relief The Ages of Love, A426. ...

1839 [1837]

A.F. Elmquist

Omnes

The commentary for this document is not available at the moment.

5.12.1839

Just Mathias Thiele

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Thiele asks Thorvaldsen to execute a monument to the recently deceased King Frederik 6. He has su...

22.5.1840

Adam Oehlenschläger

Caroline Amalie, Christian 8.

Poem to King Christian 8. and Queen Caroline Amalie on the occasion of their silver anniversary 2...

28.7.1840

Frederik 6.-kommissionen, J.P. With

Bertel Thorvaldsen

On behalf of the commission for a monument to Frederik 6. on the hill at Skanderborg Castle, , J....

18.12.1841

Hans Puggaard

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Puggaard writes that they have put the roof tree on Thorvaldsens Museum. He and a few others have...

23.12.1841

Christian 8.

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Information about the expected arrival at Leghorn of the frigate Thetis and about the sepulchral ...

23.12.1841

Christian 8.

Christian 8.

A short summary of a letter to Thorvaldsen with information about the frigate Thetis and the sepu...

14.1.1842

Just Mathias Thiele

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Thiele reports news from Copenhagen, e.g. that Christian 8. will send a frigate to Italy to fetch...

After 1.2.1842, before 15.2.1842

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Christian 8.

Sixth draft of the letter dated 15.2.1842. The draft is considerably longer than the final letter.

15.2.1842

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Christian 8.

Thorvaldsen confirms receipt of the letter saying that a frigate will be sent to Italy in order t...

15.3.1842

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Helena Ponińska

The commentary for this letter is not available at the moment.

17.12.1842

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Small fragment of a stamped letter on which Thorvaldsen has made some notes in pencil.

27.12.1842

Gottfried Rosenberg

Bertel Thorvaldsen

Gottfried Rosenberg writes to Thorvaldsen and asks him to send a bill of exchange for 1,000 rix-d...

1843

NN

Omnes

The commentary for this document is not available at the moment.

1.1.1843

H.P. Holst, Redaktørerne ved Ny Portefeuille

Omnes

The text reports on the final form of the moment to Frederik 6. on the hill at Skanderborg Castle...

23.8.1844 og 14.7.1845

Johann Scholl

Eksekutorerne for Thorvaldsens bo

Scholl testifies that the version of the relief The Graces Listening to Cupid’s Song , A602 that ...

7.10.1844

Johan Bravo

Eksekutorerne for Thorvaldsens bo

The commentary for this letter is not available at the moment.

1.4.1845

Gustav Edvard Brock

Eksekutorerne for Thorvaldsens bo

Brock sends the list of the objects in Thorvaldsen’s estate that Christine Stampe lays clai...

Senest 1849

Christian Winther

Omnes

Poem inspired by Thorvaldsen’s relief Night, A901.

1853

Federico Odorici

Omnes

In his guide to the town of Brescia, Odorici also describes the private collections in the town. ...

Juni 1872

Edmund Gosse

Omnes

Poem to Thorvaldsen’s relief The Genii of Music Playing, A587.

Tidligst 1878, senest 1905 (1835-1836)

Charles Bowyer Adderley

Omnes

Adderley describes his stay in Rome in 1835-36, when he stayed with Thorvaldsen for a time. He wa...

1890

Francesco Hayez

Omnes

Two passages from the famous Italian painter Francesco Hayez’s autobiography, in which Thor...