Beethovens Schreibtisch aus der Wohnung des Komponisten im "Schwarzspanierhaus"

This big desk from the estate of Ludwig van Beethoven originates from the composer's last apartment in the "House of the Black-robed Spaniards". According to Gerhard von Breuning's memories of his youth, which he published in 1874, this piece of furniture was standing in the so-called "notes room". This room was a small room next to the apartment, where Beethoven kept his drafts, his notes and sketches. The room was a total chaos.

In the 19th century, people often believed that the devenport has a safe-deposit. They also said, that Beethoven had kept his bank shares and his love letter to the "immortal beloved" and portrait miniatures of two unknown ladies in this safe-deposit, and that they had been found there. They related those two ladies to the famous letter. Indications in the sources however, are so contradictory, that contemporary research of music history doubts this theory.(S.B.)