Beethoven apologizes to his friend of many years Stephan von Breuning following a fierce argument and gives him a miniature of himself painted in 1802 by Horneman (HCB Bi 1) to appease him.
Breuning and Beethoven had argued about an omission. Beethoven had moved to the "Rotes Haus" (Red House) in spring 1804, where Stephan von Breuning also lived.
Probably due to an illness Beethoven soon moved into Breuning's apartment, and was looked after by him. Unfortunately Beethoven forgot to give notice on his own apartment, which is why he continued to have to pay rent. He was so annoyed by this that he fell out with Breuning (he accused Breuning of omitting to give notice on his flat). Beethoven angrily left for Baden. He probably only wrote this letter of reconciliation following his return to Vienna, after Ferdinand Ries had organized him another apartment (on the Mölkerbastei).
