Memories of Rome - Drawings as Souvenirs from around 1800

The Bibliotheca Hertziana in Rome preserves in its graphic collection ninety-seven drawings of views of the city of Rome and the Roman Campagna, which were bound in three albums when they were acquired at the beginning of the 20th century. A carefully executed and signed drawing with the self-portrait of the well-known artist Felice Giani on the first sheet suggests that he also was responsible for the other drawings and that they are direct and atmospheric studies of natural features and monuments in Rome and its surrounding campagna. However, this is a marketing ploy as almost all the sheets are faithful but more ephemeral copies of drawings by the Slovenian artist Franz Caucig, who lived and worked in Rome in the years 1780–1787.

The small exhibition presents some of the works in the Hertziana's collection that circulated in the art market of the Grand Tour around 1800. It focuses on this group of drawings but also includes a view of Rome that was painted by the English artist John Newbot (ca. 1803–1867) and is known to exist in a few almost identical copies.

Exhibition dates: December 12, 2024 (opening at 6 pm) – February 25, 2025

Access information to the exhibition:
Via Gregoriana 30
00187 Rome
Mon-Fri 9:30 am – 6:30 pm