Letter from Carl Schmidt, from Bamberg, to Dr. Ernst Becker regarding a picture owned by Count Schönborn in Pommersfelden of which the Prince Consort would like a photograph.

In response to Becker's letter of 2 October (not present), Schmidt states that Count Erwein von Schönborn, the owner of the Pommersfelden picture gallery [presumably in Schloss Weissenstein, his family seat], has been away since the summer visiting his properties in Hungary but is expected back this month; Schmidt will then lose no time in laying Becker's request before him.

But as there is no competent photographer available, it would be best to commission a suitable person to carry out the work if permission is given. Schmidt goes on to explain that although in former years there was complete freedom of access to anyone wishing to copy pictures in the gallery, two years ago it was decided that the gallery should be sold, and since then it has been very difficult to obtain the Count's permission to copy anything; indeed he has recently banned any more copying of two paintings, a 'David' after Rubens and Wouvermanns' 'Return from the hunt'.

The picture described by Becker is called 'Mourning Greek widows' [sic, but should probably be 'widow']; it includes an urn next to the child. Copying of it has been forbidden for the last eight years, but Schmidt is confident that Becker's request on behalf of the Prince Consort will not be refused. He adds that he still has a good copy of this picture painted on porcelain, the same size as the Christ after Guido Reni [of which a photograph was] recently sent to Coburg. In the worst case, a good photogaph could be taken of this.

The letter was written on Schmidt's behalf by H.Loh. See General Index, where there are several references to Carl Schmidt, probably this writer, providing paintings on porcelain to QV.

See VIC/ADDA10/85/379, VIC/ADDA10/85/429, VIC/ADDA10/85/483 and VIC/ADDA10/85/484 for further correspondence about the photographing of this picture for the Prince Consort.

Related Material: For related correspondence, see  VIC/ADDA10/85/379, VIC/ADDA10/85/429, VIC/ADDA10/85/483 and VIC/ADDA10/85/484.