DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.66024#0194
no
ANGELICA KAUFFMANN
“ Pardon me for being thus tedious to you before I conclude, repeating
my sincerest, kindest, warmest thanks to you for all your kindness, for all the
attention you have for me, which I do not know how to deserve, nor have I
words to express the sincere attachment with which I am, and shall be as long
as I exist,
“ Your truly obliged and humble servant
“ and affectionate friend,
“ Angelica Kauffman.”
Shortly after, she fell ill again, but, despite this constant weakness, retained
a great deal of her charm and fascination, and when she went for her accus-
tomed drive through the streets of Rome, she was greeted with enthusiasm
by the people, wdiile every stranger who visited the city was desirous of being
presented to her. The last pictures she was able to execute were a portrait
of the little daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Miranda, and a Magdalene,
which she painted for Count Pezzoli of Bergamo, afterwards engraved by Folo.
This was a delightful little picture, and marked by lightness of touch and
brilliancy of colouring. Then she was able to get away to Tivoli for a little
while, and, while there, wrote to her old friend in England, Mr. Forbes, a
letter Miss Gerard gives, and which is worth repeating :—
“ My kindest and warmest thanks have this time been longer delayed on
account of a little excursion made into the country. I passed near three
weeks at Tivoli, about twenty miles from Rome, a charming place, so much
sung and praised by Horace, where he had his villa, of which, however, little
or nothing remains. More is yet to be seen of the villa of Maecenas and the
villa Adriana and some others, but destructive Time has reduced all to the
pleasures of imagination—perhaps a melancholy pleasure, to see only poor
remains of the greatest magnificence. Oh ! that you, my friend, could see
this place, or that I could once more have the happiness to see you in dear
England, to which my heart is so much attached, and where I should once
more see you, my worthy friend, with the greatest joy. Too happy should I
think myself to be the bearer of the picture I had the pleasure of executing
for you. In peacable times it would not, perhaps, have been amongst the
impossible things; could I, however, find in the meantime a safe opportunity
of getting it conveyed to you, I shall certainly not lose it, as I long you should
have at least this token of my gratitude for the many and numberless obligations
for all the favours you continue to bestow on me. It makes me very happy
that you and all your family are well. Be so kind as to remember me to them
in the most respectful manner.
“ I beg for the continuance of your friendship, and have the honour to be
with the greatest esteem and gratitude,
“ Your most obliged humble servant and friend,
“ Angelica Kauffmann.”
ANGELICA KAUFFMANN
“ Pardon me for being thus tedious to you before I conclude, repeating
my sincerest, kindest, warmest thanks to you for all your kindness, for all the
attention you have for me, which I do not know how to deserve, nor have I
words to express the sincere attachment with which I am, and shall be as long
as I exist,
“ Your truly obliged and humble servant
“ and affectionate friend,
“ Angelica Kauffman.”
Shortly after, she fell ill again, but, despite this constant weakness, retained
a great deal of her charm and fascination, and when she went for her accus-
tomed drive through the streets of Rome, she was greeted with enthusiasm
by the people, wdiile every stranger who visited the city was desirous of being
presented to her. The last pictures she was able to execute were a portrait
of the little daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Miranda, and a Magdalene,
which she painted for Count Pezzoli of Bergamo, afterwards engraved by Folo.
This was a delightful little picture, and marked by lightness of touch and
brilliancy of colouring. Then she was able to get away to Tivoli for a little
while, and, while there, wrote to her old friend in England, Mr. Forbes, a
letter Miss Gerard gives, and which is worth repeating :—
“ My kindest and warmest thanks have this time been longer delayed on
account of a little excursion made into the country. I passed near three
weeks at Tivoli, about twenty miles from Rome, a charming place, so much
sung and praised by Horace, where he had his villa, of which, however, little
or nothing remains. More is yet to be seen of the villa of Maecenas and the
villa Adriana and some others, but destructive Time has reduced all to the
pleasures of imagination—perhaps a melancholy pleasure, to see only poor
remains of the greatest magnificence. Oh ! that you, my friend, could see
this place, or that I could once more have the happiness to see you in dear
England, to which my heart is so much attached, and where I should once
more see you, my worthy friend, with the greatest joy. Too happy should I
think myself to be the bearer of the picture I had the pleasure of executing
for you. In peacable times it would not, perhaps, have been amongst the
impossible things; could I, however, find in the meantime a safe opportunity
of getting it conveyed to you, I shall certainly not lose it, as I long you should
have at least this token of my gratitude for the many and numberless obligations
for all the favours you continue to bestow on me. It makes me very happy
that you and all your family are well. Be so kind as to remember me to them
in the most respectful manner.
“ I beg for the continuance of your friendship, and have the honour to be
with the greatest esteem and gratitude,
“ Your most obliged humble servant and friend,
“ Angelica Kauffmann.”