DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.48092#0077
IV.] DURER AT VENICE. THE GREAT PICTURES.
57
so because you have become his brother-in-law. But nothing makes me
more angry than when any one says that you are good-looking ; if that
were so I should become really ugly. That could make me mad.
I have found a grey hair on myself, it is the result of so much
excitement. And I fear that while I play such pranks with myself there
are still bad days before me, etc.
My French mantle, my doublet, and my brown coat send you
a hearty greeting. I should be glad to see what great thing your head-
piece can produce that you hold yourself so high. Given on the
Wednesday after Matthew’s in the year 1506.
Albrecht Durer.
Venice, about 13 Oct. 1506.
Knowing that you are aware of my devotion to your service there
is no need for me to write to you about it; but so much the more
necessary is it for me to tell you of the great pleasure it gives
me to hear of the high honour and fame which your manly wisdom and
learned skill have brought you. This is the more to be wondered
at, for seldom or never in a young body can the like be found. It
comes to you however, as to me, by a special grace of God. How
pleased we both are when we fancy ourselves worth somewhat—I with
my painting, and you with your wisdom. When anyone praises us, we
hold up our heads and believe him. Yet perhaps he is only some
false flatterer who is scorning us all the time. So don’t credit anyone
who praises you, for you’ve no notion how utterly and entirely
unmannerly you are.
I can quite see you standing before the Margrave and speaking so
pleasantly—behaving exactly as if you were flirting with Mistress
Rosentaler, cringing as you do.
It did not escape me that, when you wrote your last letter, you were
quite full of amorous thoughts. You ought to be ashamed of yourself,
an old fellow like you pretending to be so good-looking. Flirting
pleases you in the same way that a shaggy old dog likes a game with a
kitten. If you were only as fine and gentle a man as I, I could under-
stand it. If I become burgomaster I will serve you with the Lugins-
land1, as you do to pious Zamesser and me. I will have you for once
shut up there with the ladies Rechenmeister, Rosentaler, Gartner, Schutz,
and Por., and many others whom for shortness I will not name; they
must deal with you.
People enquire more after me than you, for you yourself write that
both girls and honourable wives ask after me—that is a sign of my virtue.
When however God helps me home I don’t know how I shall any longer
stand you with your great wisdom; but for your virtue and good-temper
I am glad, and your dogs will be the better for it, for you will no longer
strike them lame. Now however that you are thought so much of at
home, you won’t dare to talk to a poor painter in the street anymore; to
be seen with the painter varlet would be a great disgrace for you.
1 A Nurnberg prison.
57
so because you have become his brother-in-law. But nothing makes me
more angry than when any one says that you are good-looking ; if that
were so I should become really ugly. That could make me mad.
I have found a grey hair on myself, it is the result of so much
excitement. And I fear that while I play such pranks with myself there
are still bad days before me, etc.
My French mantle, my doublet, and my brown coat send you
a hearty greeting. I should be glad to see what great thing your head-
piece can produce that you hold yourself so high. Given on the
Wednesday after Matthew’s in the year 1506.
Albrecht Durer.
Venice, about 13 Oct. 1506.
Knowing that you are aware of my devotion to your service there
is no need for me to write to you about it; but so much the more
necessary is it for me to tell you of the great pleasure it gives
me to hear of the high honour and fame which your manly wisdom and
learned skill have brought you. This is the more to be wondered
at, for seldom or never in a young body can the like be found. It
comes to you however, as to me, by a special grace of God. How
pleased we both are when we fancy ourselves worth somewhat—I with
my painting, and you with your wisdom. When anyone praises us, we
hold up our heads and believe him. Yet perhaps he is only some
false flatterer who is scorning us all the time. So don’t credit anyone
who praises you, for you’ve no notion how utterly and entirely
unmannerly you are.
I can quite see you standing before the Margrave and speaking so
pleasantly—behaving exactly as if you were flirting with Mistress
Rosentaler, cringing as you do.
It did not escape me that, when you wrote your last letter, you were
quite full of amorous thoughts. You ought to be ashamed of yourself,
an old fellow like you pretending to be so good-looking. Flirting
pleases you in the same way that a shaggy old dog likes a game with a
kitten. If you were only as fine and gentle a man as I, I could under-
stand it. If I become burgomaster I will serve you with the Lugins-
land1, as you do to pious Zamesser and me. I will have you for once
shut up there with the ladies Rechenmeister, Rosentaler, Gartner, Schutz,
and Por., and many others whom for shortness I will not name; they
must deal with you.
People enquire more after me than you, for you yourself write that
both girls and honourable wives ask after me—that is a sign of my virtue.
When however God helps me home I don’t know how I shall any longer
stand you with your great wisdom; but for your virtue and good-temper
I am glad, and your dogs will be the better for it, for you will no longer
strike them lame. Now however that you are thought so much of at
home, you won’t dare to talk to a poor painter in the street anymore; to
be seen with the painter varlet would be a great disgrace for you.
1 A Nurnberg prison.