Tivoli (Original Title) 

Adolf Hoeffler created this pencil drawing of Tivoli, a landscape near Rome. The sketch brings to mind the historical and cultural context of the Grand Tour, a tradition since the 17th century. The Grand Tour was a rite of passage for wealthy Europeans, particularly young men, who traveled through the continent, with Italy as a highlight. Hoeffler, born in the mid-1820s, would have grown up in a society where travel and exploration were romanticized. The drawing represents the artist's own experience of place, but also speaks to broader themes of class, privilege, and the gaze of the colonizer. We see this in the depiction of the lone figure on horseback, a symbol of dominance moving through the landscape. This artwork invites us to consider the power dynamics inherent in travel and representation, while pondering the legacy of the Grand Tour and its impact on shaping cultural perceptions of foreign lands.