The Grand Tour

The Grand Tour was an essential rite of passage for wealthy British aristocrats in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, often leading to gambling and debauchery. Mike Rendell's guide explores how the tour reached its zenith, examining the activities of young tourists and their passion for souvenirs and art collecting.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 64 pages
Publication date: 17 March 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The Grand Tour, a cherished tradition among affluent British aristocrats in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, was a transformative journey encompassing France and Italy. It served as a crucial rite of passage, offering young aristocrats an opportunity to immerse themselves in art, architecture, and culture. However, it often devolved into a gateway to gambling and debauchery. In this captivating guide, Mike Rendell delves into the peak of the Grand Tour, exploring the activities of the young tourists and their acquisition of refinement, appreciation for fashion, opera, and classical antiquity. He also uncovers their passion for souvenirs and art collecting, shedding light on how these treasured items found their way back to grand country houses, which were often meticulously designed in accordance with classical European architectural principles.

The Grand Tour, a cherished tradition among affluent British aristocrats in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, was a transformative journey encompassing France and Italy. It served as a crucial rite of passage, offering young aristocrats an opportunity to immerse themselves in art, architecture, and culture. However, it often devolved into a gateway to gambling and debauchery. In this captivating guide, Mike Rendell delves into the peak of the Grand Tour, exploring the activities of the young tourists and their acquisition of refinement, appreciation for fashion, opera, and classical antiquity. He also uncovers their passion for souvenirs and art collecting, shedding light on how these treasured items found their way back to grand country houses, which were often meticulously designed in accordance with classical European architectural principles.

The Grand Tour, a cherished tradition among affluent British aristocrats in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, was a transformative journey encompassing France and Italy. It served as a crucial rite of passage, offering young aristocrats an opportunity to immerse themselves in art, architecture, and culture. However, it often devolved into a gateway to gambling and debauchery. In this captivating guide, Mike Rendell delves into the peak of the Grand Tour, exploring the activities of the young tourists and their acquisition of refinement, appreciation for fashion, opera, and classical antiquity. He also uncovers their passion for souvenirs and art collecting, shedding light on how these treasured items found their way back to grand country houses, which were often meticulously designed in accordance with classical European architectural principles.

Weight: 148g
Dimension: 151 x 209 x 6 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781784424954