Autograph letter from Voltaire to Paolo Emilio Campi, written from château de Ferney and dated [14 July 1774] [D19022].
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36718
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.87-8), ‘A M. le comte Campi, à Modène (M. 9125)’
Title:
Autograph letter from Voltaire to Paolo Emilio Campi, written from château de Ferney and dated [14 July 1774] [D19022].
Collection(s):
Link to Archive Catalogue:
Link to Digital Resource:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
The Besterman Collection, Geneva, photocopy
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
M., Votre belle tragédie et la lettre dont vous m’avez honoré me sont parvenues, heureusement pour moy dans un temps où je peux encor lire, car lorsque l’hiver approche avec ses neiges mes yeux de quatre-vingtans me refusent le service.
Incipit Modernised:
M., Votre belle tragédie et la lettre dont vous m’avez honoré me sont parvenues, heureusement pour moi dans un temps où je peux encore lire, car lorsque l’hiver approche avec ses neiges mes yeux de quatre-vingt ans me refusent le service.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Yes
Brief Summary:
Autograph letter from Voltaire to Paolo Emilio Campi, written from château de Ferney and dated [14 July 1774].
Detailed Summary:
The writer expresses deep appreciation for a recent tragedy and letter received from the recipient, commending the dramatic work for its artistic execution and emotional impact. The writer praises the piece, noting that the episode of Idolea surpasses Racine’s Aricie in its emotional depth and that the tragedy succeeds in stirring genuine feelings. Despite his advanced age and failing eyesight, he acknowledges the widespread admiration for the work in Italy and contrasts it with the more modest reception of French tragedies, which often face criticism rather than praise. Furthermore, according to T. D. N. Besterman, the foliation is 87.
Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
2 ff.
Format:
Dimensions:
Hands:
1
Watermark:
Countermark:
Binding:
The manuscript is bound with other documents in contemporary red morocco.
Additional Comments:
Materiality Keywords:
Decorations:
Additions:
Voltaire endorsed MS1 ‘au comte Campi à Modene’.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
[14 July 1774]
Ownership:
Origin (transcript):
Origin:
Provenance:
Bibliography
Bibliography:
Fernand Caussy, Inventaire des manuscrits de la bibliothèque de Voltaire conservée à la bibliothèque impériale publique de Saint-Pétersbourg (Geneva, Slatkine reprints, 1970)
OCV Reference:
OCV Manuscript Reference:
Record created by:
Record created on: