DOCUMENTO N.12

Corrispondenza inerente il ritratto di Lady Hamilton come Arianna (ovvero come bacchante couchée), olio su tela, 135 x 158 cm, Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight, Inghilterra, pubblicata da BAILLIO, catalogo, 1982, p.90. Originali in possesso di Christie's, Londra.

Lettera dell'11 Marzo 1801 da Lord Nelson a Emma Hamilton

Pray what has Christie done about your picture. I have no letter from him, how can any man sell your resemblance, to buy it many would fly, as for the original no price is adequate to her merits, those of her dear mind & heart if possible exceed your beauty, all this world's Greatness I would give up with pleasure, so be it amen. Emma, let me be the friend of your bosom, I deserve it for my confidence is reciprocal, I see clearly My Dearest friend you are on Sale, I am almost mad to think of the Iniquity of wanting you to associate with a Sett of Whores, Bawds unprincipled Lyars, can this be the Great Sir William Hamilton I blush for him ....

Lettera del 19 Marzo 1801 da Lord Nelson a Emma Hamilton

My Dearest friend I have bought your picture for I could not bear it should be put up at auction and if it had cost me 300 drops of Blood I would have given it with pleasure. I think the picture had better be delivered to Mr. Davis or packed up and I have charged him not to mention it or to show it to any Soul breathing. I desire it always to hang in my Bed chamber and if I die it is yours. After we get into the Baltic it may be very dangerous writing for if the Vessel is taken which is very probable my correspondence will certainly be published. Therefore I shall never sign my name in future. Heavens Bless You. Send my letter & order to Mr. Christie, directly.