In England at the end of the 18th century, a new kind of patronage emerged which was to have an enormous effect on the careers of artists lucky enough to fall under its favor. This was the practice of English gentlemen, taking the grand tour to the mediterranean, to bring along with them an artist to document their trip, much as today we might bring a camera.
In some cases, if the gentleman had a passion for antiquity, the trip would feature Greek and Roman sites; from such expeditions we have exquisite detailed drawings of temples and sculpture. In other cases, where the patron had a romantic passion for landscape, there would be a detour into the Alps and a concentration on the scenic beauties of the Italian landscape.
William Beckwith was of the latter frame of mind…
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