INTRODUCTION
The Grand Tour
During the 18th-century, thousands of Aristocratic British tourists traveled to Italy to take part in the Grand Tour. The British came to Italy for education in art, music, literature, and classical history. Education in the concepts and principles of ancient Rome and the culture of Italy became imperative during the Age of the Enlightenment, as the ways of the classics became the aesthetics of the 1700's. Tourists traditionally followed a set routine of traveling over the Alps from Switzerland and entering Italy through the city of Turin. They would then visit Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, and finally Naples in the south. The height of the popularity of the Grand Tour was from 1763 to the French Revolution.
Because so many tourists went to Italy to study art and painting, the British left an extensive record of their time on the Grand Tour. The British also became infamous for their desire for souvenirs, spurring a new trade in fake antiquities all over Italy. The Romans coined the phrase "If the Colosseum were portable, the English would carry it away". Lady Mary Wortely Montagu stated that the English had acquired the title of "golden asses", because of their gullibility in buying fakes. (For more information on souvenirs from the Grand Tour go to the Getty Museum exhibit.)
British Tourists in a souvenir shop in Naples.
Italian Politics
During the 18th-Century, Italy was divided into separate city-states. The country would not unify until the Risorgimento, between 1859 and 1870, under the Piedmontese kings of the House of Savoy. This was an era of decline for the once powerful port country. The cities were over crowded and the majority of the population was poor. This over crowding was one cause for the famines that occurred between 1764-66, which increased peasant mortality rates.
Map of Italy in 1748.
Italy was also under constant invasion from foreign armies. The Spanish had been in control of the northern regions of Italy since the late 1500's. They finally lost their holdings during the war of Spanish Succession to the Austrian empire in 1714, after the Treaty of Utrecht. The Austrians remained in Italy until 1796 when France invaded under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte. He remained in control until 1814.
Italian Culture
Englishmen traveled to Italy in the 18th century to escape the cold, rainy temperament of England and enjoy a warm climate. This melancholy setting of England stifled artists from exploring their creative mentalities which prohibited them from artistic advancements. While in Italy, these artists were inspired by the beautiful landscapes which were already prominent in Italian paintings. Italian artists, such as Canaletto and Panini, painted landscapes to create a memory for themselves and for others of their glorious surroundings.
Throughout the 18th-century, Italy made great contributions in art, music, entertainment, and many other elements that defined Italy’s culture. New styles in art, music, opera, and architecture were created during this time period. During this era, rococo art became increasingly important, especially in decorative works, though many Italian artists continued to use the baroque style. Later in the century, Neoclassicism grew in popularity. Although Italy was not politically united, it still had an enormous amount of musical influence throughout Europe during the 18th-century. Italian musicians held numerous leadership positions in many European cities. By 1740, there were 85 Italian musicians active in London, 50 in Paris, 112 in Vienna, 45 in Munich, and 41 in Dresden. Furthermore, new styles in opera were developed, continuing its popularity. In fact, opera was the only unifying force in Italy. These new ideas and works were adopted by many surrounding European countries, including England.
"A Wall in Naples" by Thomas Jones
(The actual painting is the size of a stamp.)
Image Source:
Wall in Naples <http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk>.