SEE ITALY AND DIE

The "Grand Tour" puts photograpy and pinting to the test in the 19th century


MUSEE D'ORSAY - From 7 April to 19 July 2009

During the siecle des Lumieres the "Grand Tour" was a long trip taken by young people from the upper classes of European society, intended to complete their education; However, this practice did not vanish at the end of the 18th century and resisted the emergence of atlernatives to the Italie aesthetic model, Italy being its principal destination. Even after 1850, its popularity amongst artists and simple tourists increased in an impressive fashion, aided by the development of both communication means and photography. The attraction of the beauty of Virgil's as yet untouched homeland saw vast artistic output.



The exhibition presents these works, revealing the recurrent themes and fantasies: archaeological and ancient remains, the major european cultural sites and the contemporary population's lasting attachement to the ancient world.

For the exhibition place at the Musee d'orsay, you could choose to stay in one of our Paris apartment rentals.