Emma's diary: The Acquisition (April 13 - 20, 1898)
Wednesday, April 13.
To the Vatican Pinacotheca - Mrs. House, Mr. and Mrs. Elliot to dinner. Dr. Richter called - interesting.
Thursday, April 14.
To various churches this morning - to a reception at Mrs. Elliotts in the afternoon. Dr. Bull to dine with us. Dr. Richter came
Friday, April 15.
To the Doria Pamfili this morning and then to the Lateren. In the afternoon drove in the beautiful Doria Pamfili gardens.
Saturday, April 16.
Rain all day and in the house. Mr. Ayer called.
Sunday, April 17.
Theodore and I drove out on the Appian way this morning - air deliciously warm and soft - but the wind so high and grew so violent we had to have the top of the carriage up - beautiful storm effects on that wide Campagna, with the tops of the Mts. white with snow. Mrs. Norman and Mabel came to dine.
Monday, April 18.
Theodore and I have been nosing about in the various shops of an old man who deals in frames in the Via Gergoriana. There were such beauties, it was hard to decide. Chose one of the best for a mirror to be placed in the hall over the hat table. Dr. Richter came to lunch - conversation about Leonardo, Boticelli, and other artists, and discussion of various pictures. Then we drove wwith them to visit by appointment the house of Donna Laura Minghetti, to see the famous leonardo da Vinci. A charming house, and an even more charming and hospitable hostess - and the beautiful picture was a sensation indeed. The Elliots called this evening.
Tuesday, April 19.
With the old frame man in Via Gregoriana this morning again and a charming drive, Theodore, Monty, Anderson and I had in the Doria Pamphili gardens this afternoon. They were not open to the public, but for some reason or other we were allowed to enter, and had all the drives and beautiful avenues to ourselves. Mrs. Ayer, the Normans to tea - and Dr. Richter to dinner - and we do not go to Florence tomorrow but the next day - for Theodore is trying to get a precious picture.
Wednesday, April 20.
Miserable weather. Poked into the old frame shop this morning with Theodore, and out in the rain for half an hour with Nettie though I did not leave the carriage. Dr. Richter to lunch - and then a very exciting afternoon - he and Theodore went off at 3 o’clock in a closed carriage to Donna Laura Minghetti’s to actually bring home in great secrecy, into our own possession, the incomparable Leonardo, to which we thought it such a privilege only a few days since, to be allowed to see. It is hard to realize that we have actually acquired it, it seems almost as if we have bought the Vatican or St. Peters! If we can only get it out of italy without arousing suspicion! Dr. R. to dinner.
To the Vatican Pinacotheca - Mrs. House, Mr. and Mrs. Elliot to dinner. Dr. Richter called - interesting.
Thursday, April 14.
To various churches this morning - to a reception at Mrs. Elliotts in the afternoon. Dr. Bull to dine with us. Dr. Richter came
Friday, April 15.
To the Doria Pamfili this morning and then to the Lateren. In the afternoon drove in the beautiful Doria Pamfili gardens.
Saturday, April 16.
Rain all day and in the house. Mr. Ayer called.
Sunday, April 17.
Theodore and I drove out on the Appian way this morning - air deliciously warm and soft - but the wind so high and grew so violent we had to have the top of the carriage up - beautiful storm effects on that wide Campagna, with the tops of the Mts. white with snow. Mrs. Norman and Mabel came to dine.
Monday, April 18.
Theodore and I have been nosing about in the various shops of an old man who deals in frames in the Via Gergoriana. There were such beauties, it was hard to decide. Chose one of the best for a mirror to be placed in the hall over the hat table. Dr. Richter came to lunch - conversation about Leonardo, Boticelli, and other artists, and discussion of various pictures. Then we drove wwith them to visit by appointment the house of Donna Laura Minghetti, to see the famous leonardo da Vinci. A charming house, and an even more charming and hospitable hostess - and the beautiful picture was a sensation indeed. The Elliots called this evening.
Tuesday, April 19.
With the old frame man in Via Gregoriana this morning again and a charming drive, Theodore, Monty, Anderson and I had in the Doria Pamphili gardens this afternoon. They were not open to the public, but for some reason or other we were allowed to enter, and had all the drives and beautiful avenues to ourselves. Mrs. Ayer, the Normans to tea - and Dr. Richter to dinner - and we do not go to Florence tomorrow but the next day - for Theodore is trying to get a precious picture.
Wednesday, April 20.
Miserable weather. Poked into the old frame shop this morning with Theodore, and out in the rain for half an hour with Nettie though I did not leave the carriage. Dr. Richter to lunch - and then a very exciting afternoon - he and Theodore went off at 3 o’clock in a closed carriage to Donna Laura Minghetti’s to actually bring home in great secrecy, into our own possession, the incomparable Leonardo, to which we thought it such a privilege only a few days since, to be allowed to see. It is hard to realize that we have actually acquired it, it seems almost as if we have bought the Vatican or St. Peters! If we can only get it out of italy without arousing suspicion! Dr. R. to dinner.
Description
Emma's diary entries which detail the events that lead to the transaction.
Creator
Claire Summa
Source
Andrews, Emma B.Journal on the Bedawin, Volume 5 : 1898-1899.
Original Format
Paper
Citation
Citation
Claire Summa, “Emma's diary: The Acquisition (April 13 - 20, 1898),” The Emma B. Andrews Diary Project, accessed April 19, 2024, https://www.emmabandrews.org/project/items/show/125.