Coming of Age as a Traveller

Earlier this week we had an opportunity to visit the John Soane Museum.  John Soane was a distinguished architect who devoted his life to collecting European antiques and other works of art.  Soane established a taste for European art during the Grand Tour, which inspired his collection later in life.  Similar to Lucy, Soane learned to appreciate culture, history, beauty and democracy while coming of age as a world traveller. 

This photograph was captured in the Library of the John Soane Museum.  The library housed countless paintings, busts and favorite books.  The rich colors and works on display revealed his deep appreciation for Italian, French and Latin cultures.  This appreciation for beautiful things is a characteristic that Lucy acquires during her European travels.  

This painting, A Regatta on the Grand Canal, was painted by Canaletto around 1740.  It can be found in the National Gallery in London.  Canaletto's work reveals a picturesque and idyllic scene that a traveller might witness on the water in Italy.  This picture is similar to the "Room with a View" that Lucy and Charlotte expected upon arriving in Italy at the beginning of the novel. 

This painting, An Old Man holding a Pilgrim-Bottle is featured in the National Gallery.  It was painted around 1650 by an unknown artist.  The wise man in the picture is holding a pilgrim bottle which was a marker of travel during this time.  Although Lucy may not have the exposure the old man has had, they have both gained experience and a new set of eyes through their travels.

We returned to the Tate Britain this week to learn see what it meant to come of age as a traveller for JMW Turner.  The Tate featured a wing dedicated to Turner's extensive work.  Turner spent much of his time painting idyllic landscapes in Venice as well as countrysides in Rome.  The viewer was able to see how his style and inspiration changed over his life.  The change was especially evident in his painting, Venice with a Salute in 1840.  This unfinished work was a complex painting for the insider that focused on using effective light.