Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of December 15, 1872

Overview

We leave early because we cannot bear the suspense any longer and want to see home, even if we fear what we may find. The children are alive and on their feet when we arrive, though Boni and Eva look frail and Fidi is strikingly moved by our return. R. is especially touched by Fidi’s appearance, which reminds him of the Sistine Madonna child. The relief of being home is real, but by evening new worries have already begun, both about Eva and Boni and about trouble among the copyists.

Content

Sunday, December 15:

Left at 6:30 in the morning; we cannot wait to be home, fears of bad discoveries. Arrive at last, around noon, the children at least on their feet, but looking peaky, especially Boni and Eva. Fidi has been indisposed and was extraordinarily affected by our arrival; a touching sight, and R. says he looks exactly like the child in Raphael's Sistine Madonna.

Delight in being home again. But by the evening there are already worries: Eva's appearance grieves us, Boni's as well, and besides that unpleasantnesses among the copyists.