His son Julius

This is Julius Willem Bilderdijk. In September 1797, Schweickhardt became pregnant. To avoid a stir, Bilderdijk did not want her to give birth in Brunswijk. So she traveled to Berlin, where she had to give birth alone. Julius Willem was born there on June 16, 1798. The young mother was overjoyed. In English, the language in which she corresponded with Bilderdijk since their stay in London, she wrote to him: ‘It is then true, and no illusive dream? It has pleased God to make me that blessed – that enviable being, a mother!’

Bilderdijk was delighted: ‘I thank Heaven for this joyful event [...] Give it a thousand kisses for me, till I may do it my-self, and keep this dear treasure and pledge of our mutual love, with all that tenderness, maternal affection inspires.’

Julius was a healthy baby, with delicate hands, dark hair, brown skin, and blue eyes. Much to Schweickhardt's chagrin, however, he had a deformed right foot that had been constricted after his birth. That may be the reason why the boy is depicted leaning on a chair in this chalk drawing.

In the correspondence between Bilderdijk and his wife,Julius’ development can be followed almost from day to day. Bilderdijk was fond of his son, who grew up under difficult circumstances. Some of the surviving notes are rather moving. For example, the eight-year-old Julius wrote to his father on December 26, 1806:

Dear Daddy! On Thursday Julius' bird died, Julius was very sad about it, and then mommy put him by the fire, but he didn't come alive again; if he had died of hunger or thirst it would have been worse, but now it is not Julius's fault. Does Daddy not yet know when Daddy will come home, for Daddy has been gone so long. Julius is sorry that Daddy still has a toothache and headache, but Daddy had to put a bandage of soap on his cheek, that has already made the pain go away. Good night Daddy good night again, dear Daddy!