Gezicht op eiland Capri vanaf open zee voor zuidkust 1778

Louis Ducros made this watercolor view of the island of Capri from the open sea. This image transports us to a very specific moment in the late 18th century when the picturesque view became a popular aesthetic ideal. Here, the artist uses the cool blues of the sea and sky to frame the rugged, monumental forms of the island itself, an island known for its beauty since ancient times. Consider the status of the artist in this period. Ducros was part of a growing art market catering to wealthy tourists on the Grand Tour, who sought out views like these as souvenirs of their travels. Capri, with its classical associations and dramatic natural beauty, was a prime destination. To truly understand this artwork, we need to consider the social conditions that made it possible: the rise of tourism, the commercialization of art, and the enduring appeal of the classical world. A study of travel diaries, art market records, and guidebooks of the period can help us to contextualize Ducros’s work within its rich historical moment.