In the mills valley near Amalfi 1852

Ludwig Metz created this pencil drawing, “In the mills valley near Amalfi,” in 1862. We see the town nestled in the valley with a dramatic mountain rising behind it, the artist focuses on the relationship between nature and settlement. Drawings like this one, made by artists visiting Italy, were important for promoting a particular vision of Italian culture, where a town like Amalfi was as an ideal destination. Tourism has a long history, and throughout the 19th century the establishment of institutions such as museums and art schools helped to shape the public’s expectations of countries like Italy, creating a flow of visitors. The artist's vision here is of a tranquil place, an escape from the industrialised north of Europe. A more complete understanding of this drawing requires research into the history of tourism and the economy of 19th century Italy. The meaning of any artwork depends so much on its social and institutional context.