Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of April 25, 1873

Overview

The day is shaped by a mix of intimate companionship, intellectual admiration, and weariness. Visits to art and discussion of a remarkable friend sit beside the everyday strain of managing R.'s fatigue and reputation. The tone suggests both private affection and a sense of being misunderstood by the wider world.

Content

Friday, April 25:

Recently R. laughed and said that, if anyone now wanted to draw a caricature of him, he should depict me holding him by the coat tails so that he should not fall down and disappear.

He is tired, but, since he has turned down banquets and things, not too much so, thank goodness.

I visit the museum with Marie Schl. and am particularly impressed by John and Mary at the Cross, painted by the master of the Eipporger Passion.

In the evening, conversation with our friend, a peerless creature.

(We hear that the orchestra was quite astonished and delighted over their work with R., who, here as elsewhere, had been described to them in advance as an unbearable character.)