The allure of the Grand Tour: past and present
Bringing the “Grand Tour” home to you!
Back in the day, to expand your horizons and see great works of art, you had to travel great distances to find it. It was called the “Grand Tour”—and no, I’m not talking about Jeremy Clarkson’s British motoring television program.
The origins of the Grand Tour
I am speaking of the European Grand Tour, a fashionable trend undertaken by well-to-do folks and aspiring upper-class artists back in the 17th and 18th centuries. Mostly men, but also a few women of sufficient means, partook of this opportunity to visit Italy. They crossed the European continent, passing through Paris, Vienna, and Venice, then moved further into Italy to Florence to see Brunelleschi’s Dome and the treasures of the Medici family before proceeding to Rome to marvel at the ruins and Michelangelo masterpieces.
A standard educational itinerary
The Grand Tour was considered a rite of passage and could last anywhere from several months to years. It wasn’t a religious pilgrimage but an opportunity to study ancient ruins and masterpieces, attracting young painters and sculptors from Britain and America. Renowned museums like the Uffizi (1765), the Vatican Museums (1769-1774), and the Louvre (1793) became key stops on the Grand Tour.
Souvenirs and art for past travelers
Tourists in the 17th century craved souvenirs: antiques, bronze and marble sculptures, and paintings of Italian cities. Works by artists like Canaletto and Giovanni Paolo Panini were popular and served as the pre-photographic “selfies” of the day.
Ciceroni and art guides
Adventurers often hired a “Cicerone,” or knowledgeable guide. I love this term, which comes from Marcus Tullius Cicero, the great Roman orator and statesman.
Today’s virtual Grand Tour
While tourism flourishes and people still flock to Italy to make “The Grand Tour”—visiting museums and wandering foreign cities in search of art and culture—it is much easier to discover the art of the masters from the comfort of your desk with just a click of the mouse. Many museums, like the Vatican and the Uffizi, offer engaging virtual tours. And podcasts such as “Art Curious” by Jennifer Dasal enhance our artistic journey with captivating stories.
I strongly recommend embarking on a real Grand Tour to discover art in person. Meanwhile, a virtual Grand Tour can satisfy our wanderlust and bring us to wonderful places with just a click of the mouse.
