Exhibitions: The Aesthetics of Travel: the Beautiful, the Picturesque, and the Sublime

The Grand Tour - The Eighteenth Century

Although writers, such as Laurence Sterne (A Sentimental Journey [1768]), parodied scientific and mathematical approaches to Nature it was popular, in the Eighteenth Century, to hold a materialistic view of the external world which depended upon measurement and Reason.

Travellers were predominantly wealthy and male, and the 'grand tour' was supposed to be an edifying experience, a completion of one's education and the opportunity to both admire and to collect great works of art (Lord Elgin famously claimed the Parthenon stones as a souvenir, sending them to England 1803-1812).

“We are still here, and the Great Duke's collection of ancient statues, medals, and jewels with beautiful figures cut in them, would be an entertainment for one's whole life.”
(Spence, 1733; 1975)


The idea of a tour was fairly prescriptive: visits to the principle Italian cities, and to Paris were expected (Black, 1985). Suggested itineraries were published and travellers often had the company of compatriots.

“My friend and namesake Captain Spence is there too at present, but we never want English company here-there is such a perpetual flux and reflux of our good countrymen. About a fortnight ago Sir Hugh Smithson came here, who left school, entered at Oxford, passed through all his university education, travelled through France, and came hither-all since I have been abroad. There is beside here at present Lord Harcourt, and there are others whom we expect every day.”
(Spence, 1733; 1975)


Levins Hall, Westmorland by M.J. Starling

(Click to see a larger version)
Levins Hall, Westmorland
by M.J. Starling

On their return home, tourists were inspired by continental landscapes, and by idealised representations of Landscapes as typified by Claude Lorrain's paintings. This influenced garden design: those designed by Capability Brown at Stowe and Alnwick Castle were thought of as triumphantly taming Nature. Sculptures and Classical follies were essential garden accessories.

The Romantic Period (Novelty)