Italianate River Landscape with an Inn 1667 - 1736

Gaspar Adriaensz. van Wittel made this Italianate River Landscape with an Inn with pen and brown ink, and brush and brown wash on cream laid paper. In this drawing, Van Wittel captured the idealized vision of the Italian countryside that was so popular among Northern European artists and patrons in the 17th and 18th centuries. The inn, nestled in the rolling hills, suggests a comfortable stop for travelers on the Grand Tour, a rite of passage for wealthy young Europeans seeking cultural enrichment. But this image isn't just a picturesque scene; it's a carefully constructed representation of Italy. The classical ruins, the gentle light, and the overall sense of harmony evoke a romanticized past and a cultivated present. To truly understand this drawing, we might turn to travel literature, social histories of tourism, and even economic studies of the art market. We can then appreciate how artists like Van Wittel catered to the desires and expectations of their audience, shaping perceptions of Italy that continue to influence us today.