DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.48092#0084
64
durer’s literary remains.
[chap.
Letters to Jacob Heller (1507—1509).
Nurnberg, 28 Aug. 1507.
First, my willing service to you, dear Herr Heller. I was pleased
to get your kind letter. You must know, however, that I have been for
a long time plagued with a fever, which has thrown me back some
weeks in my work for Duke Friedrich of Saxony, and has caused me
great loss. But now I mean to finish my work for him quickly, for it is
more than half done. So have patience with me about your picture,
which, as soon as I get this work finished to the satisfaction of the above
mentioned Prince, I will at once set myself diligently to paint, as I
promised you here.
And although I have not yet begun on the panel, I have got it from
the joiner and have paid away for it the money you gave me. He
would not lower his price for it, though I thought he did not deserve so
much. I have given it to a preparer who has whitened it and painted
it and will put on the gilding next week.
I did not want to receive any money in advance on it till I began
to paint it, which, if God will, shall be the next thing after the Prince’s
work; for I prefer not to begin too many things at once and then I
do not become wearied. The Prince too will not be kept waiting, as he
would be if I were to paint his and your pictures at the same time, as I
had intended. At all events have confidence in me, for, so far as God
permits, I will yet according to my power make something that not
many men can equal.
Now many good nights to you. Given at Nurnberg on Augustine’s
day, 1507.
Albrecht Durer.
Nurnberg, 19 March, 1508.
Dear Herr Jacob Heller, in a fortnight I shall be ready with Duke
Friedrich’s work; after that I shall begin yours, and, as my custom is, I
will not paint any other picture till it is finished. I will be sure
carefully to paint the middle panel with my own hand ; apart from that,
the outer sides of the wings are already sketched in—they will be in
stone colour; I have also had the ground laid. So much for news.
I wish you could see my gracious Lord’s picture; I think it would
please you. I have worked at it straight on for a year and gained very
little by it; for I only get 280 Rhenish gulden for it, and I have spent
all that in the time. And so I say if I do not paint your picture to
your perfect satisfaction, no man shall persuade me to make a bargain
for anything again, for I neglect better chances by so doing.
I send you with this the size of the picture in length and breadth.
Many good nights. Given at Nurnberg on the Second Sunday in
Lent, 1508.
Albrecht Durer.
durer’s literary remains.
[chap.
Letters to Jacob Heller (1507—1509).
Nurnberg, 28 Aug. 1507.
First, my willing service to you, dear Herr Heller. I was pleased
to get your kind letter. You must know, however, that I have been for
a long time plagued with a fever, which has thrown me back some
weeks in my work for Duke Friedrich of Saxony, and has caused me
great loss. But now I mean to finish my work for him quickly, for it is
more than half done. So have patience with me about your picture,
which, as soon as I get this work finished to the satisfaction of the above
mentioned Prince, I will at once set myself diligently to paint, as I
promised you here.
And although I have not yet begun on the panel, I have got it from
the joiner and have paid away for it the money you gave me. He
would not lower his price for it, though I thought he did not deserve so
much. I have given it to a preparer who has whitened it and painted
it and will put on the gilding next week.
I did not want to receive any money in advance on it till I began
to paint it, which, if God will, shall be the next thing after the Prince’s
work; for I prefer not to begin too many things at once and then I
do not become wearied. The Prince too will not be kept waiting, as he
would be if I were to paint his and your pictures at the same time, as I
had intended. At all events have confidence in me, for, so far as God
permits, I will yet according to my power make something that not
many men can equal.
Now many good nights to you. Given at Nurnberg on Augustine’s
day, 1507.
Albrecht Durer.
Nurnberg, 19 March, 1508.
Dear Herr Jacob Heller, in a fortnight I shall be ready with Duke
Friedrich’s work; after that I shall begin yours, and, as my custom is, I
will not paint any other picture till it is finished. I will be sure
carefully to paint the middle panel with my own hand ; apart from that,
the outer sides of the wings are already sketched in—they will be in
stone colour; I have also had the ground laid. So much for news.
I wish you could see my gracious Lord’s picture; I think it would
please you. I have worked at it straight on for a year and gained very
little by it; for I only get 280 Rhenish gulden for it, and I have spent
all that in the time. And so I say if I do not paint your picture to
your perfect satisfaction, no man shall persuade me to make a bargain
for anything again, for I neglect better chances by so doing.
I send you with this the size of the picture in length and breadth.
Many good nights. Given at Nurnberg on the Second Sunday in
Lent, 1508.
Albrecht Durer.