Delphi Collected Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe \(Illustrated\) pdfdrive com

JULY 24.

You insist so much on my not neglecting my drawing, that it would be as well

for me to say nothing as to confess how little I have lately done.

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I never felt happier, I never understood nature better, even down to the veriest

stem  or  smallest  blade  of  grass;  and  yet  I  am  unable  to  express  myself:  my

powers of execution are so weak, everything seems to swim and float before me,

so that I cannot make a clear, bold outline. But I fancy I should succeed better if

I had some clay or wax to model. I shall try, if this state of mind continues much

longer, and will take to modelling, if I only knead dough.

I  have  commenced  Charlotte’s  portrait  three  times,  and  have  as  often

disgraced  myself.  This  is  the  more  annoying,  as  I  was  formerly  very  happy  in

taking  likenesses.  I  have  since  sketched  her  profile,  and  must  content  myself

with that.