From the Hans Christian Andersen biography "The Life of Hans Christian Andersen. Day By Day", written by DPhil Johan de Mylius:

1845

Leaves for a journey in Europe

19 October

Models for the painter J.V. Gertner. The portrait is an etching which shows HCA standing with hat and cane.

1845: Leaves for a journey in Europe


HCA departs on a journey in Europe lasting almost a full year. Goes first to Glorup (1st - 10th November), from here via Odense, Assens and Åbenrå to Gråsten (Gravensten), where he is the guest of Duke Christian August of Augustenborg from 12th - 21st November. His spirits are dampened by the political discussions.

19th - 21st November

Sits for the painter Carl Hartmann for a water painting. Hartman had, incidentally, already made a pencil drawing of HCA on the day after his arrival. Before the end of HCA's stay at Gråsten, Hartmann manages to do 4 more pencil drawings of him, as well as a group portrait (also in pencil), in which HCA is portrayed reading aloud for the Augustenborg ducal family (Christian August, Duke of Augustenborg, Princess Louise Augusta, Prince Frederik, Duchess Louise Sophie, and Princess Amalie; the drawing also shows two unidentified ladies).

22 November

Travels from Gråsten to Hamburg, where he visits his illustrator, Otto Speckter (whose drawings HCA is very pleased with). Continues on 27th to Oldenburg, where he is a guest of Grand Duke August on several occasions.

December

"Den lille Pige med Svovlstikkerne" (The Little Matchstick Girl) (written at Gråsten Castle) is printed in Dansk Folkekalender for 1846 (The Danish Folk Calendar), illustrated by J.Th. Lundbye.

17 December 1845

Continues via Hannover, Braunschweig and Magdeburg to Berlin (arriving 19th). Whilst here, he visits Alexander von Humboldt, Minister Friedrich Karl von Savigny and the translator Julius Reuscher. Also sees the lyrical poet Geibel and Bettina von Arnhin once again. Spends time on several occasions with the brothers Grimm. Discusses fairy-tales in general with Jacob and speaks with Wilhelm about his own. Wilhelm Grimm especially likes "Grantræet" (The Fir Tree). Partakes in a royal banquet held by Frederik Wilhelm IV of Prussia. The king is familiar with Only a Fiddler , but not the fairy-tales. However, he does mention that he had asked about HCA whilst in Copenhagen, immediately upon his arrival. HCA is the centre of attention in Berlin's high society - he is aware of this and acts accordingly. Several artists and central figures in Berlin's cultural life have invited people to come and meet HCA, but he does not show up. The sister of the painter Caroline Bardua, Wilhelmine, has made the following entry in her diary:

"By his mere presence, the poet Andersen affects every one in the social circles - from the court and downwards - he is the hero of the day".

In her diary, Wilhelmine Bardua describes HCA as "highly talkative and accompanies his talk with lively gesticulating" and claims that he "is quite good looking". HCA's principle reason for coming to Berlin is to be with Jenny Lind, but already before they meet he mentions in his diary on 19th: "I feel that I do not love her as one may". By this he meant that he was more able to dream about her than to actually approach her. During the stay, he vacillates between being extremely angry with her, telling himself that he does not love her any more, and fluttering around her.
Attends a dinner at Jenny Lind's on New Year Eve. There is a Christmas tree in honour of HCA, who she has repeatedly put in his place, during his stay in Berlin, by calling him "a child" and "a good person" (the diary, 26th and 31st). They are both frightened when a C note is heard from the piano, which has not been touched. (HCA has a fear of seeing deceased persons and had therefore wished that they should mark their presence with tones). On the 29th December and 2nd January, he sits for an unknown painter.

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