Sketchbook: Souvenir of Naples

Artist Unknown - The Mercat Cross, Aberdeen, 1821

MEDIUMSketchbook with faded calfskin binding, pink endpapers and 56 views of Naples arranged two a page on 28 facing pages: pages 1-24 in watercolor over graphite, pages 25-28 in gouache.
DIMENSIONSSketchbook 225 x 180 mm; scenes each 72 x 104 mm
LOCATIONThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
COLLECTIONRobert Lehman Collection
CULTUREItalian, Naples
CREDIT LINERobert Lehman Collection, 1975

This sketchbook is a delightful visual diary of Naples in 1821, filled with 56 detailed views that transport you back to a bygone era of travel and artistic exploration. Its intimate scale and varied techniques offer a personal window into a historic city.

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ABOUT THIS WORK

This sketchbook, a "Souvenir of Naples" from 1821, offers a charming and intimate glimpse into the bustling Italian city. Its pages reveal 56 distinct views, each carefully rendered, capturing the vibrant atmosphere of a popular Grand Tour destination. The artist, though unknown, meticulously documented the urban landscape and its iconic landmarks, suggesting a personal connection to the journey or a desire to preserve detailed memories. The early pages, executed in delicate watercolor over graphite, transition to more opaque gouache towards the end, showing a subtle shift in technique or perhaps a different phase of the trip. The small scale of each scene invites close inspection, drawing the viewer into a past era of travel and artistic observation. The faded calfskin binding and pink endpapers hint at its age and the personal value it held for its original owner, serving as a tangible record of a significant experience abroad.

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What to Notice

1

Observe the transition from transparent watercolors to denser gouache.

2

Notice the detailed architectural elements in each small scene.

3

Look for signs of daily life and activity within the Neapolitan views.

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Audio Deep Dive

This sketchbook is a delightful visual diary of Naples in 1821, filled with 56 detailed views that transport you back to a bygone era of travel and artistic ex…

Hear the full story in the app
THE ARTIST
Artist Unknown - The Mercat Cross, Aberdeen

This 'Artist Unknown' represents a vast collection of anonymous creators, whose works like 'Boston Common' and 'Self Portrait' offer glimpses into diverse historical periods and artistic practices.

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