Gezicht op Castel Sant'Elmo en Castel Nuovo vanaf havenhoofd te Napels 1778

Louis Ducros made this watercolor of Castel Sant'Elmo and Castel Nuovo from the harbor in Naples sometime before 1810. Naples in the late 18th century was a popular destination for artists and Grand Tourists, drawn to its classical ruins and picturesque landscapes. Ducros presents us with a tranquil view of the city's formidable defenses. Castel Sant'Elmo, a star-shaped fortress atop a hill, dominates the skyline, while the Castel Nuovo, with its imposing towers, stands closer to the sea. These structures speak to Naples' complex history as a strategic port and a prize fought over by empires. By focusing on the fortifications, Ducros subtly acknowledges the ever-present tensions in Neapolitan society. The Kingdom of Naples, ruled by the Bourbon dynasty, was a place of stark social contrasts, with a wealthy elite living alongside a vast population of urban poor. Naples was known for its vibrant street life and also for its political unrest. To fully understand this image, we might turn to historical maps, travelers' accounts, and studies of Neapolitan society in the 18th century. Art like this reminds us that what we see is always shaped by the social and political realities of the time.