Very rare autograph letter signed in Italian to a benefactor in Rome, Mengs thanking him for the good memories he has of Mengs and telling him that he is sorry that he cannot do anything to show his gratitude. He hopes to come to Rome in a few months, although he has not yet received his course permit, but he hopes that Her Majesty will not withdraw his royal word.

He asks to convey his compliments to Cardinal Archinto, should he meet him:

Autograph letter signed in Italian to a Benefactor in Rome. Thanking him for the good memories he has of Mengs and saying he is sorry that he cannot do anything to show his gratitude. He hopes to come to Rome in a few months time although he has still not received his license for reading but he hopes that his Majesty will not withdraw his royal word.

Asking to please pass his compliments to Cardinal Archinto, if he should happen to meet him


“...The infinite memory of my memory is for me, only in my time it is not possible to show my gratitude…Spero in my pocket I am in Rome, but I don't have the license for use, but my speech is S: M: no will retain the Sual Parola. Se a CAso havesse occasione di vedere S: E: il Sign(nor) e Cardinale Archinto la prego porgele li miei Osequiosi Complimenti…”

At the time of the letter, Mengs was court painter to the Spanish King Carlos III and had lived in Madrid since 1760. Mengs had always been fascinated by the Eternal City. He stayed in Rome several times and finally died there of pneumonia.

At the time of the letter Mengs was a painter to the Cort of the King of Spai, Carlos III and had been living in Madrid since 1760. Mengs had always been fascinated by the Eternal City. He stayed repeatedly in Rome and eventually died there of pneumonia.

Mengs in his relations with Giovanni Archinto, nephew of Cardinal Alberico Archinto (1698-1758) whom Mengs had met long before in Dresden and through whom he had become friends with Winckelmann.

Mengs in relating to Giovanni Archinto, nephew of Cardinal Alberico Archinto (1698-1758) whom Me,gs had met a long time before in Dresden and through whom he had befriended Winckelmann.