Waterval te Tivoli Possibly 1800 - 1802

W. Pikett made this print, titled "Waterval te Tivoli", using etching and aquatint. This image presents a picturesque view of the cascading waters at Tivoli, near Rome. The late 18th century saw a rise in the Grand Tour, with wealthy Europeans, particularly the British, traveling to Italy to immerse themselves in its classical past and sublime landscapes. Tivoli, with its ancient ruins and dramatic waterfalls, became a popular destination. Pikett's print caters to this market, offering a memento of the journey, or perhaps a vicarious experience for those who couldn't travel. The print flattens the experience of the site, and makes it reproducible to a mass audience. The image also reflects the aesthetic ideals of the time, emphasizing the beauty and grandeur of nature. The figures in the foreground—animals and locals—serve to animate the scene and emphasize the scale of the landscape. Understanding this work requires looking into the history of tourism, the Grand Tour, and the rise of landscape art as a commodity. By doing so, we can better appreciate the social and cultural context in which this image was created and consumed.