Grand tour watercolor albums, 1793-1842
- Title(s):
- Grand tour watercolor albums.
- Published/Created:
- Germany ; France ; Italy, 1793-1842.
- Physical Description:
- 5 volumes : ill. ; 18 x 26 cm.
- Holdings:
- Rare Books and ManuscriptsD919 .G73 1793+Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Fund[Request]
- Copyright Status:
- Copyright Information
- Full Orbis Record:
- http://hdl.handle.net/10079/bibid/8962008
- Classification:
- Drawings & Watercolors
- Notes:
- Collection of five manuscript albums containing 129 drawings, many in watercolor, made during travels through Germany, France, and Italy. The albums cover a span from 1793 to 1842 and are probably the work of multiple hands. Consistencies in format and labeling suggest that the albums were probably executed by multiple members of a single family. All of the illustrations are made in graphite, and most have full applications of watercolor, although the first volume contains a number of drawings with gray or brown wash only. Illustrations are all full-page, on the recto of each leaf; descriptive labels are written on the verso of the facing leaf. Almost all of the illustrations are scenic views, with only occasional architectural details, and no portrayal of people. None of the illustrations are signed; few are dated. The numbering of leaves within the albums and numbering of album volumes (1, 4, 6, 9, 10) suggests that other albums were executed but are no longer present in this collection.
The first two albums, numbered 1 and 4 on the covers, are identically bound in quarter calf and marbled boards and are probably from a single tour. Album 1 is dated 1793 and documents a journey from Dover to Innsbruck, also depicting Koblenz, Oberwesel, Bacharach, Württemberg, Munich (and surrounding countryside), and Zirl. The Rhine river valley is prominently featured in many of the illustrations, including grand fortifications and ruins on the high river banks. The second volume, presumably a continuation of this journey, picks up in Tuscany and continues to Liguria. Places depicted include the river Sérchio (near Lucca), Livorno, Viareggio, Palmaria, and La Spezia. The majority of these drawings depict the Mediterranean coast, many with mountains.
The next two albums, numbered 6 and X on the covers, are identically bound in stiff purple marbled wrappers. They appear to be from a single tour and must date to no earlier than 1815, as an illustration of Golfe-Juan in album X notes Napoleon's landing there. Album 6 depicts places in Provence, especially around Marseille, including Aubagne and Endoume. Album X depicts scenes along the route from Cannes to Genoa, including the Massif de l'Esterel, Antibes, Nice, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and the Golfe de Saint-Hospice, Monaco, Menton, Ventimiglia, Bordighera, San Remo, Noli, Savona, and Genoa. Both of these albums include many views of the scenic Mediterranean coast.
The final album is dated 27 October 1841 at the front, with dates continuing to June 8 (presumably 1842). All of the views depict places in and around Naples, including Lake Nemi, Terracina, Posillipo, Mergellina, Pozzuoli, Capodimonte, Castelammare, Capri, and Sorrento. In several drawings specific buildings are featured, including the Castel Nuovo in Naples and La Trinità della Cava in Salerno. Also apparently depicted is the hillside house of the artist in Castelammare, which has been labeled "Our house" and highlighted in yellow. Illustrations in this album focus on many of the grand villas and mansions around Naples, and the occupants (or former occupants) of some of the houses are named. - Subject Terms:
- Campania (Italy) -- Pictorial works.Castles & palaces.Forts & fortifications.Grand tours (Education)Liguria (Italy) -- Pictorial works.Mansions.Mediterranean Coast (Italy) -- Pictorial works.Naples (Italy) -- Pictorial works.Provence (France) -- Pictorial works.Rhine River -- Pictorial works.Tuscany (Italy) -- Pictorial works.Waterfronts.
- Form/Genre:
- Albums (books)
Landscape drawings -- Europe.
Travel sketches -- Europe.
Views -- Europe.
Graphite drawings.
Watercolors.
Sketchbooks. - Export:
- XML
- IIIF Manifest:
- JSON