The Manzoni Family by Natalia Ginzburg

Author:Natalia Ginzburg
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
Published: 2013-11-22T16:00:00+00:00

Teresa had commissioned a portrait of Manzoni from Francesco Hayez. Writing to Stefano, she expressed her disappointment that she was too weak to accompany her husband to every sitting: ‘I should say that I am recovering from my weakness by eating two beef-steaks a day, and tasty broths; but the improvement is so slight that I am scarcely aware of it, and I despair of being able to accompany Alessandro to Hayez tomorrow, even in the carriage. This time, however, I am not writing from bed, but from my magnificent table, which Cecchina contemplated with great admiration yesterday; together with my little bookcase. I get the impression that Grossi is not feeling too well these days, but he came to take Papa for a walk; I think he works too hard, poor Grossi. It upsets me to see him so thin. For a Grossi to be reduced to working as a solicitor! Oh! it is a disgrace to the Italians in general and the Milanese in particular.’

Towards the end of June, after fourteen sittings, the portrait was finished. At that time, Giulia took to her bed. Teresa to Stefano: ‘The Nonna is very ill, and I am very distressed for her (you will think I am exaggerating! but it’s true) and for Alessandro. Just think! that another blow should strike him after the last. However, I hope not, but I am afraid, because she has a sharp pain; yesterday she went to bed, and was bled at once, and twice today. . . If only I could write to rejoice in the successful portrait of Alessandro! . . . Oh Heavens, how I wish for my sake and Papa’s that you were in Milan, if the Nonna, poor lady, should get worse! Worse, you must understand, means, fatally. Papa does not know how bad she is, and I don’t know what to do. I feel that if you were here we could change the subject a bit, and relieve the gloom; and to tell the truth, reluctant as I am to suggest it, if things went badly, you could do a great deal for us; enough! even I don’t know what to say! ... I assure you I am as distressed about her condition as if she had never once upset me. . .’ Stefano did not come. He answered: ‘I’m sorry about the Nonna too, for her, for Papa and for the family; but what good would it do you to have me in Milan, if she got worse? What good could I do? I have no idea how to comfort people, I can only keep them cheerful when they want to be. . . So! . . . Enough, please write at once, and if I really could do any good, tell me straight out, and I’ll come to Milan to do what I can; in any case, if you wanted to go to Lesa, I could go and arrange the passports.’ Passports were required to go to Lesa, as it was in the kingdom of Carlo Alberto.

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