View of the Ponte Molle, on the Sylvan side of Rome

Alexander Nasmyth 1758 - 1840

Summary

A classical Italian landscape looking towards the Ponte Molle from the Sylvan side of Rome. Trees in the left foreground frame the distant scene of an arched bridge across a wide river, with hazy hills beyond. There is a small cove in the middle distance in the bottom right, with a group of peasants sitting on the bank with their goats, watching two men bringing a small boat ashore.

Display Label

Grand Tour and Grand Style The Influence of Travel Improvements in European travel during the 1700s had a wide-ranging impact on British culture. A particularly significant influence was the Grand Tour, which became almost obligatory for young gentlemen. Grand Tourists were led across Europe by tutors to study art, history and politics for two or three years. The Grand Tour focused on Italy, particularly Rome, and often incorporated new archaeological sites such as those at Herculaneum and Pompei, near Naples. Ancient antiquities were heavily trafficked across Europe and continental works of art flooded into Britain. A period of especially active collecting took place between the end of the Seven Years War in 1763 and the rise of Napoleon in the 1790s. As more artists and designers also visited the continent their work became increasingly informed by travel. The serious themes of classical antiquity and European art led to a new departure in painting called the Grand Style. This championed classical, historical or literary subjects, and inspired radical changes in portraiture and landscape. Widespread interest in Greek and Roman remains also fostered fresh interpretations of ancient designs by pioneers of decorative art such as Josiah Wedgwood.