Autore
Bertrand, Gilles

Titolo
Souvenir consigliati e acquistati durante il Grand Tour. I viaggiatori francesi in Italia (XVII-XVIII secolo)
Periodico
Memoria e ricerca
Anno: 2025 - Volume: 79 - Fascicolo: 2 - Pagina iniziale: 223 - Pagina finale: 244

During their travels in Italy in the modern era, the French acquired no fewer objects that were distinct from 'ordinary trade' and eligible for the status of souvenirs than did members of other European nations, particularly the British. They were not content to seek out traces of their classical reading. They also bring back objects that constitute tangible, material evidence of their stay. The arts of travel say very little about what to buy, as they mainly encourage people to see the curiosities that will help them increase their knowledge. Only certain guides, such as Misson’s in 1691, gave precise advice on how to choose and ship objects. On the other hand, travel reports and accountancy notes tell us about a hierarchy of purchases that raises the question of the gap between travel souvenirs and collecting. Prints help travellers to remember places and works of art. Other objects reflected a preoccupation with antiquity, ornamentation, scientific knowledge and the well-being of the body. Faced with Englishmen eager to accumulate acquisitions, French art lovers accompanied by an artist were more demanding in their choices. Others made do with copies, even if they were sometimes deceived about the authenticity of what they were buying. Sometimes, the objects brought back constitute a stock of images that help to build memories in the form of columns or fabriques inspired by Lazio or Tuscany and installed in the parks of châteaux in France. The case of the French in Italy confirms that there was indeed diversity not only between types of souvenirs but also between types of travellers and European national groups from the 17th to the early 19th century.



SICI: 1127-0195(2025)79:2<223:SCEADI>2.0.ZU;2-R
Testo completo: https://www.rivisteweb.it/download/article/10.14647/116930
Testo completo alternativo: https://www.rivisteweb.it/doi/10.14647/116930

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