The Way We Were

IMMORTAL BELOVED  

The First Letter

July 6, in the morning

My angel, my all, my very self - Only a few words today and at that with pencil (with yours) - Not till tomorrow will my lodgings be definitely determined upon - what a useless waste of time - Why this deep sorrow when necessity speaks - can our love endure except through sacrifices, through not demanding everything from one another; can you change the fact that you are not wholly mine, I not wholly thine - Oh God, look out into the beauties of nature and comfort your heart with that which must be - Love demands everything and that very justly - thus it is to me with you, and to your with me. But you forget so easily that I must live for me and for you; if we were wholly united you would feel the pain of it as little as I - My journey was a fearful one; I did not reach here until 4 o'clock yesterday morning. Lacking horses the post-coach chose another route, but what an awful one; at the stage before the last I was warned not to travel at night; I was made fearful of a forest, but that only made me the more eager - and I was wrong. The coach must needs break down on the wretched road, a bottomless mud road. Without such postilions as I had with me I should have remained stuck in the road. Esterhazy, traveling the usual road here, had the same fate with eight horses that I had with four - Yet I got some pleasure out of it, as I always do when I successfully overcome difficulties - Now a quick change to things internal from things external. We shall surely see each other soon; moreover, today I cannot share with you the thoughts I have had during these last few days touching my own life - If our hearts were always close together, I would have none of these. My heart is full of so many things to say to you - ah - there are moments when I feel that speech amounts to nothing at all - Cheer up - remain my true, my only treasure, my all as I am yours. The gods must send us the rest, what for us must and shall be -

Your faithful LUDWIG.

The Second Letter

Evening, Monday, July 6

You are suffering, my dearest creature - only now have I learned that letters must be posted very early in the morning on Mondays to Thursdays - the only days on which the mail-coach goes from here to K. - You are suffering - Ah, wherever I am, there you are also - I will arrange it with you and me that I can live with you. What a life!!! thus!!! without you - pursued by the goodness of mankind hither and thither - which I as little want to deserve as I deserve it - Humility of man towards man - it pains me - and when I consider myself in relation to the universe, what am I and what is He - whom we call the greatest - and yet - herein lies the divine in man - I weep when I reflect that you will probably not receive the first report from me until Saturday - Much as you love me - I love you more - But do not ever conceal yourself from me - good night - As I am taking the baths I must go to bed - Oh God - so near! so far! Is not our love truly a heavenly structure, and also as firm as the vault of heaven?

  

The Third Letter

Good morning, on July 7

Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, now and then joyfully, then sadly, waiting to learn whether or not fate will hear us - I can live only wholly with you or not at all - Yes, I am resolved to wander so long away from you until I can fly to your arms and say that I am really at home with you, and can send my soul enwrapped in you into the land of spirits - Yes, unhappily it must be so - You will be the more contained since you know my fidelity to you. No one else can ever possess my heart - never - never - Oh God, why must one be parted from one whom one so loves. And yet my life in V is now a wretched life - Your love makes me at once the happiest and the unhappiest of men - At my age I need a steady, quiet life - can that be so in our connection? My angel, I have just been told that the mailcoach goes every day - therefore I must close at once so that you may receive the letter at once - Be calm, only by a calm consideration of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together - Be calm - love me - today - yesterday - what tearful longings for you - you - you - my life - my all - farewell. Oh continue to love me - never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.

ever thine

ever mine

ever ours

"Immortal Beloved"

Ludwig van Beethoven

            B: December 17, 1770 in Bonn

            D: March 26, 1827 in Vienna

Text of three piece collection of love letters

Undated

Beethoven is known as one of the most influential composers in history, with his work in transitioning from the Classical to Romantic era in Western art music. He devoted his life to creating brilliant pieces of romantic music and has left his legacy as one of the greatest German composers. Beethoven was rumored to have a love affair with Vienna-native Antoine Brentano around the year 1810, which continued until Antoine’s departure in 1812. While there is no date on these letters, evidence concludes that these letters were written to Antoine upon her leaving Vienna. A man named Solomon, who studied people close to Beethoven, discovered the letters and after further research, hypothesized that the letters were in fact for Antoine Brentano. The general public has now come to accept this as an actual fact and it is widely accepted by art critics that Beethoven was indeed writing to his lover of two years.

I chose to include this collection of letters in our exhibit because it represents a tradition love letter and a form of art that has been greatly compromised over the years. Through these letters, Beethoven expresses his deepest emotions, which demonstrates how powerful a love letter can be. Beethoven writes without censoring his emotions, which is what a real love letter should do. He writes, “Love demands everything and that very justly-thus it is to me with you, and to your with me.” Beethoven is expressing that he is giving everything he has to this relationship with his lover. A love letter is something that every person can relate too and I think that increases its ability to be seen as art. Personally, I was drawn to this piece of work because like many, I am familiar with the name Beethoven as a composer and his letters gave me insight into his personal life. Because of the formality of love letters and the time it takes to write one, I think love letters are a way to reveal one’s truest, rawest emotions for a significant other. 

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My very dear

Sarah:

The

indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days—perhaps

tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a

few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more ...

I have no misgivings about,

or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does

not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans on the

triumph of the Government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before

us through the blood and sufferings of the Revolution. And I am

willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to help

maintain this Government, and to pay that debt . . .

Sarah my love for you is

deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence

could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and

bears me unresistibly on with all these chains to the battle

field.

The

memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me,

and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them for so

long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of

future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together,

and seen our sons grown up to honorable manhood, around us. I have, I know, but

few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to

me—perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar, that I shall return to

my loved ones unharmed. If I do not my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love

you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper

your name. Forgive my many faults and the many pains I have caused you. How

thoughtless and foolish I have often times been! How gladly would I wash out

with my tears every little spot upon your happiness . . .

But, O Sarah! If the dead can

come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always

be near you; in the gladdest days and in the darkest nights . . . always,

always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath,

as the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.

Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall

meet again . . .

Untitled

Sullivan Ballou, United States of America, 1829-1861
Text of Love Letter
1861

This love letter was written during the civil war by a soldier to his wife and family.  Sullivan Ballou wrote this letter to his wife in fear that he would not make it out of the war.  He expresses his love for her, his children, and his country.  He wrote to tell them that he would always be there even if he did not return from the war.  This letter was never mailed to his wife, but he sent other happier letters.  There are not criticisms to this piece because it is a true letter from the war and it is a person’s real feelings.  It is important to the larger world because it represents a time where love was destroyed by war.  Also, it shows the true emotion and artistic values that many love letters have.  This type of letter is rarely seen today, making it special to the time period.

I chose to include this love letter because it made me feel the emotions of the writer.  I connected with this letter even though it has no ties to me.  Therefore, the letter was powerful because others can relate to it and feel the emotions.  This letter was written during the civil war making it very passionate and honest.  The letter is moderately long and the reader can see that time and effort went into writing it.  A letter like this would have taken many difficult thoughts and a lot of time to complete.  This shows that Ballou cared for his wife and family.  Also, the language used is poetic and descriptive; it expresses Ballou’s feelings very well.  The artistic value of the piece comes from the language and emotion.  While reading it, I felt the compassion and honesty throughout the letter.  This letter is used in the exhibit because it embodies a true, artistic love letter.

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Untitled

Ronald Reagan, February 06, 1911-June 05, 2004, Illinois

Hand written letter

March 4, 1972

The 40th president of the United States wrote this letter to his wife to acknowledge their twenty years of marriage. Ronald Reagan wrote numerous love letters to Nancy, and each one clearly conveys the great love that they shared. In this particular letter, Ronald Reagan is humorous and his tone is light-hearted, something rare for a man with such a serious job. The Reagans were a very public couple during Ronald’s presidency, the nation watching them closely at all times. Even after the death of her dear husband, the Reagans’ love was still a hot topic among the public. Nancy gave the world access to the very love letters that stole her heart when she published them in “I Love You, Ronnie: The Letters of Ronald Reagan to Nancy Reagan.” The book was a hit, and the public fell in love with the love of the Reagans.

The love letters of Ronald Reagan to Nancy Reagan are appealing to the public because of the status of this powerful couple. Most Americans during that time period knew who Ronald and Nancy Reagan were and that they were in love. However, no one but Nancy was able to see that side of such an influential man. I believe that seeing the words of the president written in his own handwriting is much more powerful than simply reading the copied text. I can picture Ronald Reagan actually sitting down and writing those terms of endearment to his wife. The handwritten letter makes the love all the more real, and almost serves as evidence of their commitment to each other. This love letter supports the argument that a hand written message is much more powerful than one sent electronically.  

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"Gee!!, I Wish Myrt Was Here"

Elzie Segar, U.S.A., 1894 –1938

Colored Pencil on Chicago Herald Letterhead

October 8th, 1916

     Elzie Segar was a critically acclaimed American cartoonist that created Popeye and revolutionized cartoons through the combination of humor and adventure. The critical reception of his professional work was incredibly positive, and he is still viewed as one of the most talented and influential cartoon artists in history. As for this particular love letter, it did not receive public critique due to its private nature. However, it could be said that this love letter made a significant impact on Segar’s love interest, Myrtle, because of their marriage two years after its creation.

Despite Segar’s fame and notoriety, he was able to use his talents to focus on Myrtle, signifying his devotion and great care that he had for her.

This love letter exhibit includes Elzie Segar’s piece due to its display of the unique individuality of every love letter. This love letter is a prime example of an artist putting themselves into their piece; Elzie Segar was an acclaimed cartoonist with a unique drawing style, which he then used to write his future wife a love letter. The care taken in creating the visual aspect of this letter shows how much Segar cared for Myrtle. Also, this letter was absolutely unique, it was a creation specifically for Myrtle and could not be bought at the supermarket or printed off of the internet.

Along with the visual part of the letter, the actual composition is a great reflection of Segar as well. The word choices such as “doggone”, “goo bi”, and “lotsalove” are a literary expression of Segar’s feelings that maintain the unique and personal nature of this love letter. Segar does an expert job of putting his personality into every letter on the page, an incredibly difficult but effective artistic choice. Of the many different ways to write a love letter, this seems to set the bar for truly putting one’s personality into compassionate words.