Image viewing by Sabine Altorfer – this week: o bella Italia
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Italy is the epitome of holidays in the south, by the sea. Not only since mass tourism flooded it. Goethe already raved about the land where lemons blossom – and hundreds of painters followed him to Arcadia. Also Carl Blechen.
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Carl Blechen (1798–1840): The Ruins of the Septizonium on the Palatine Hill in Rome, 1829. Oil on paper on panel, 18 x 33.5 cm, Kunst Museum Winterthur Oskar Reinhart Foundation.
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Blue sky, sea, ancient cultures and dolce far niente: Italy is the dream holiday destination for everyone who lives north of the Alps. Goethe was a role model for those traveling to Italy, he inspired the northerners with the line of his poem “Do you know the land where the lemons bloom?” planted this longing as early as 1780. Crowds of painters followed him, busily creating romantic paintings for those who stayed at home.
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