Ludwig van Beethoven, Brief an Josephine Deym, Wien, vermutlich 1807, Autograph

The letter is from the time when Josephine Deym had already tried to end her relationship with Beethoven, often having herself excused . In winter 1804/05, when the level of affection was the same on both sides and they wrote tender letters to each other, Beethoven used to come and go at Josephine's house. Then the relationship cooled off as Josephine was not able to return Beethoven's advances and "sensual love", as she termed it. In winter 1807 the break was imminent. Beethoven sends Josephine some of his cologne and tells her of his visit, but does not reckon on meeting her. She had obviously pretended not to be there on several previous occasions. Beethoven's great disappointment is reflected in his parting words at the end of the letter, "I love you as much as you do not love me".