Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A Stop on the Grand Tour
A 'Grand Tour' of Italy became an obligatory display of culture and class status by the
18th century, and Tuscany was a key stop on the itinerary. German and English artists en-
raptured with Michelangelo, Perugino and other early High Renaissance painters took the
inspiration home, kick-starting a neoclassicist craze. Conversely, trends from northern
Europe (impressionism, plein-air painting and romanticism) became trendy among Italian
artists, as witnessed in the collection at Florence's Galleria d'Arte Moderna in the Palazzo
Pitti, which is dominated by late-19th- century works by artists of the Tuscan Macchiaioli
school (the local equivalent of impressionism). These include Telemaco Signorini
(1835-1901) and Giovanni Fattori (1825-1908).
In architecture, the most fascinating case of artistic import-export is Italian art nouveau,
often referred to as Liberty after the London store that put William Morris' Italian-inspired
visual ideals into commercial action.
Tuscany has a wealth of sculpture gardens showcasing site-specific contemporary works in
gorgeous surrounds. These include the Fattoria di Celle, near Pistoia, Giardino dei Tarocchi in
southern Tuscany, and Castello di Ama, in Chianti.
