by Isabella Stewart Gardner (1840 - 1924)
July 19, 1896
Language: English
July 19, 1896 Dear Berenson, When comes my Titian, my Rape of Europa? I am feverish about it. Do come over, just to unpack her and set her up in her new shrine! Do! August 25 She has come!! Europa has come! She has come! I was just cabling you to ask what could be the matter, when she arrived, safe and sound. She is now in place. I have no words! I am too excited to talk. September 19 Dear Berenson, I am breathless about the Europa, even yet! I am back here tonight after a two days’ orgy. The orgy was drinking myself drunk with Europa, thinking and dreaming about her. Mr. Shaw, Mr. Hooper, Dr. Bigelow, and many painters have dropped before her. Many came with “grave doubts”; many came to scoff; but all wallowed at her feet. One painter, a general skeptic, couldn’t speak for the tears! all of joy!!! Sincerely yours, Isabella S. Gardner
About the headline (FAQ)
Text Authorship:
- by Isabella Stewart Gardner (1840 - 1924), no title [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Scott Wheeler (b. 1952), "From Isabella Stewart Gardner to Bernard Berenson", 2011, first performed 2011 [ soprano, tenor, baritone, and piano ], from Isabella Letters, no. 3, Scott Wheeler Music [sung text checked 1 time]
Researcher for this page: Eric Saroian
This text was added to the website: 2022-05-25
Line count: 18
Word count: 159