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The most fascinating branch of the arts

LATROBE, BENJAMIN H. (1764-1820). English-born American artist, architect and engineer, best known for his work on the U.S. Capitol. ANS. (“B. Henry Latrobe”). (Fragment). ½p. Small 4to. (Washington), (Docketed in Mazzei’s (?) hand March 6, 1805). To Italian farmer and champion of America PHILIP MAZZEI (1730-1816).

Although I have not the honor to be personally known to you, I will not take up your time by apologies for the trouble I give you. The time is approaching which our vines & our olives will spread your name & our gratitude over our country. Let us also owe to your kindness the introduction of excellence in the most fascinating branch of the arts. With true respect I am yours very faithfully…

Trained in Germany and England, Latrobe immigrated to the U.S. in 1796 thus becoming the young nation’s first professional architect. His initial American commissions included the groundbreaking Virginia State Penitentiary in Richmond and the Bank of Pennsylvania, the Greek revival style of which profoundly affected American architecture. The construction of the Capitol began in 1793, but by Jefferson’s presidency, the project had stalled several times. In order to resume building, Congress appropriated $50,000 for construction of the Capitol’s south wing on March 3, 1803. Three days later, Jefferson chose his friend Latrobe to oversee this monumental project, offering him the position of surveyor of the public buildings of the United States, “the most important architectural position in the country,” (Benjamin Henry Latrobe, Hamlin). That Latrobe’s commission came from Jefferson is of additional interest given the president’s well-known architectural avocation. (Scholars now believe that Latrobe influenced Jefferson’s design of the University of Virginia.) Latrobe set about his task methodically, examining the existing structure and plans, making revisions and obtaining Jefferson’s approval of any changes, but one of the obstacles Latrobe faced was the scarcity of skilled labor. “The architect therefore wrote (March 6, 1805) to his [and Jefferson’s] acquaintance Philip Mazzei in Italy, asking him to find and send over two sculptors,” (ibid.). Ours is almost certainly the fragmentary conclusion of this letter that was sent with Latrobe’s letter of the same date to Thomas Appleton. Jefferson had met Mazzei, an Italian vintner, when the latter (at Benjamin Franklin’s urging) came to the U.S. in 1773 to introduce Mediterranean crops to the region, a project symbolically referred to here by Latrobe. Mazzei was an obvious contact in Latrobe’s search for much-needed craftsmen. In fact, “the following year, [after receiving Latrobe’s letter] Mazzei did find and send over two young sculptors, Giuseppe Franzoni (1786-1816) and Giovanni Andrei (1770-1824), who brought a new standard of skill and taste to America,” (ibid.). As evidenced by the address leaf, Latrobe’s letter to Mazzei was sent care of Thomas Appleton (1763-1840) who, “for many years while the United States Consul in Livorno, Italy, concerned himself with commissioning and exporting works of art to the United States… Appleton was in many respects a pioneer and one of the most inventive, if not enterprising, traders in works of art in his time… ” (“The Account Book of Thomas Appleton of Livorno: A Document in the History of American Art, 1802-1825,” Winterthur Portfolio, Fehl). Our letter, directly related to Latrobe’s work on the Capitol building, is signed as surveyor of the public buildings of the United States. Folded with several fold tears, one of which vertically crosses the last letter of the signature. Some paper loss from the seal tear affecting two words. The address leaf is on the fragment’s verso. Rare.

Item #15456

Price: $950