2006 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
The Grand Tour in the 18th Century with Special Reference to Algarotti
| Project/Area Number |
16520179
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Research Field |
ヨーロッパ語系文学
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| Research Institution | Toyo University |
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Principal Investigator |
KONDO Hiroko Toyo University, Dep. of Economics, Professor, 経済学部, 教授 (10225625)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2004 – 2006
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| Keywords | 18 th Century / Grand Tour / Algarotti |
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| Research Abstract |
In eighteenth-century England, the Grand Tour-sending sons to the Continent to let them see the world-was extremely popular among the aristocracy.
In his twenties, a young Italian named Francesco Algarotti (1712-64) visited England twice in order to carry out further research into Newton's (Issac, 1642-1727) optics and also to attempt to obtain favourable status at the English court. Though ultimately unable to find such a satisfactory position, he did manage to deepen his insights into aesthetics, which were eventually to form the basis of his concept of art.
Later Algarotti was invited to the court of Frederick II (the Great, 1712-86) of Prussia where he would finally gain the position he desired. We can say that what Algarotti learned in England-through his encounter with English aesthetics-played an important role in his later career. In addition, for Algarotti, his tour to England was a kind of Grand Tour in the opposite direction. When conceiving of the Grand Tour, I think that this notion of the reverse is of unusual interest, since the customary idea of the Grand Tour emphasizes the influence of the Continent on England.
During his stay in Germany, Algarotti introduced many Italian paintings to the Elector of Saxony. In his Saggio sopta la pittura, Algarotti advised painters to use a tool, camera obscura. He is also said to have had a great influence on the idea of capriccio in art history. The idea of English landscape gardening came to be widely known on the Continent in the eighteenth century. What Algarotti learned in England combined to form the foundation that played an important role in his career, and finally secured him a position in the court of Prussia.
It is certain that Algarotti can be regarded as an important herald of English culture on the Continent at that time.
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Research Products
(6 results)
