Description:

Fesch Joseph 1763 - 1839 Napoleon's uncle Cardinal Fesch, exiled in Rome, muses about matrimony.

1pp cream colored stationery inscribed by secretary but signed by Cardinal Fesch as "Card. Fesch" at bottom right. Written from Rome on January 22, 1835 and addressed to "My dear Mr. Clary". In very fine condition, with expected folds, measuring 5.25" x 8". Minor discolored spots verso suggest that letter might have been affixed to other backing at some point. Pencil inscribed "250 E" at top. Accompanied by a nineteenth-century Neurdein Freres (Paris) post card depicting Cardinal in clerical vestments, with brief biographical description below. In fine to very fine condition with isolated minor browning around edges and tiny spot foxing, measuring 3.5" x 5.5".

In this letter, Cardinal Fesch congratulates a friend on becoming a father. He writes: "It was with true pleasure that I learned that Madame your wife gave birth to a healthy girl. I give you my compliments, and I hope that she will soon make you happy again by giving you a handsome boy. Children are the real good of marriage, and the assurance of the union of spouses". His commentary on the happy event reflects very traditional ways of thinking. First, that the birth of a daughter is good, but the birth of a son is better. Second, that the aim of marriage is to have children sanctioned under wedlock. A true cleric, Fesch ends his letter by invoking God to bless the Clary family.

The biographical blurb on the post card reads: "Cardinal Fesch. Born at Ajaccio in 1763. Maternal uncle of Napoleon I. Named Archbishop of Lyon in 1802, then cardinal in 1803, he was sent as ambassador to Rome. In 1805, he was elevated to the dignities of Chaplin of the Empire, a count, and a senator. In 1809, he refused the Archbishopric of Paris that Napoleon had proposed for him, and refused equally measures taken against Pius VII (1810), and wrote the pope, then a prisoner at Fontainebleau, a letter that disgraced him (1812). After the fall of the Emperor, he went to live in Rome where he passed his last days in the study of Arts and Letters. 'He never wanted to resign from his Archbishopric'. He died in 1839".

Besides his family connection to Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821), Cardinal Fesch is now most remembered for his impressive art collection. Over his lifetime, the exiled cleric collected over 14,000 artworks. The nucleus of his collection is still housed at the Musee Fesch in Ajaccio, Corsica.

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