“The acuteness of her husband’s feelings was painfully increased by his unfortunate absence, being at Brussels at the time with the suite of the Duke of Saxe Cobourg-Gotha, who had seen M. Soyer in his culinary department at the Reform Club, and having greatly admired several of Madame Soyer’s pictures, did her the honour to subscribe for a print from her picture of the ‘Young Israelites,’ which has since been dedicated, by permission, to his Serene Highness.”[31]
“The death of this lady has been a source of great regret to all the lovers and encouragers of art. Cut off at a moment when her reputation was about to make her fortune, and when, in spite of all obstacles, her merits were become known to her countrymen, it is a sad reflection that she can no longer enjoy the encomiums she so justly deserves, nor share in those rewards which were about to be conferred on her. Besides an immense variety of drawings, sketches, and studies, she had painted upwards of 400 pictures, some of them of very high merit, and some of them which, when exhibited in the Louvre, obtained the highest meed of praise. No female artist has exceeded this lady as a colorist, and very few artists of the rougher sex have produced portraits so full of character, spirit, and vigour, and that boldness and breadth of light and shadow which constitutes one of the highest triumphs of art. She was exceedingly clever in recognizing the character of those who sat to her, so that her portraits convey the mind as well as the features of the sitters, their thoughts and sentiments. Her group, already mentioned, depicting Two Boys selling Lemons, has been recently engraved by Gerard of Paris, in mezzotint, and is a fine illustration of the talents of the deceased. It partakes of the style of Murillo; but, though in his manner, it has not the subserviency of imitation, nor the stiffness of copy. There are a few of Madame Soyer’s paintings at the Reform Club-house, which will well repay a visit from those who have a taste for genuine merit and real nature.”—Times.
The three following letters are selected from a numerous correspondence, as exhibiting at once sympathy for her loss, and admiration for her talents.
“Gotha, le 4 Janvier, 1843.
A MONSIEUR ALEXIS SOYER.
“Monsieur,
“Je vous suis très obligé du dessin original fait du feue Madame votre épouse, ainsi que des gravures d’après le tableau des jeunes Israelites, que vous avez bien voulu m’envoyer.
“C’est avec beaucoup d’intérêt que j’adjoindrai à ma collection de dessins les produits d’un talent aussi distingué que celui de feue Madame Soyer.
“En vous disant mes remercîmens et en souhaitant que le temps adoucit votre grande et juste douleur sur sa perte prématurée, je vous assure encore de toute mon estime.
“Ernest Duc de Saxe-Gotha.”