THE GRAND TOUR
From the 17th to the 19th centuries, the Grand Tour served as a pivotal right of passage for young members of European nobility and wealthy classes. Through this educational journey, these individuals would broaden their perspectives and expose them to diverse cultures and ideas. It was considered an essential component of a well-rounded education of the elite and integral to developing a sense of sophistication.
The itinerary often included cities like Paris, Venice, Florence and Rome, taking travelers through major cultural and historical centers. By visiting important cultural sites, they could develop their knowledge in classical architecture, literature, and the foundations of Western civilization. Along the way, they collected artwork, antiquities and souvenirs to mark their journey and their progress. Upon their return to Europe, these materials and objects aided in the recounting of their travels, and beyond the lasting self-enrichment, served as great influences in shaping European cultural taste and contributes to the burgeoning appreciation for classical aesthetics and knowledge.
TRAJAN’S COLUMN
This infamous column was commissioned by the Roman emperor Trajan and constructed between 107 and 113 AD. A remarkable achievement of Roman architectural and artistic ability, the column stands approximately 98 feet (30 meters) tall, surmounted by bronze figure of the emperor. The hollow interior of the column contains a spiral staircase, which offered visitors of antiquity a view over Trajan’s expansive forum. Over 25 Carrara marble drums make up this impressive column that details the story of Trajan’s victory in the Dacian wars.
The continuous frieze decoration depicts 155 scenes with 2,662 figures, offering various perspectives of the narrative from differing points of view. The lower half of the of the relief illustrates the first half of the war (101-102 AD) and the upper portion the second half (105-106 AD.) The prominence and scale of this commemorative column no doubt also served as a political minder and propaganda, and inspired other Emperors like Marcus Aurelius to construct similar monuments to their achievements in battle.
The inscription at the base of the column reads:
SENATVS·POPVLVS·QVE·ROMANVS
IMP·CAESARI·DIVI·NERVAE·F·NERVAE
TRAIANO·AVG·GERM·DACICO·PONTIF
MAXIMO·TRIB·POT·XVII·IMP·VI·COS·VI·P·P
AD·DECLARANDVM·QVANTAE·ALTITVDINIS
MONS·ET·LOCVS·TANT[IS·OPER]IBVS·SIT·EGESTVS
Translated as:
The Senate and People of Rome, to the Divine Emperor Caesar Nerva Trajan, son of Nerva, High Priest, [conqueror of] Germany and Dacia, [vested] with the power of the tribune 17 [times], imperator 6 [times], consul 6 [times], father of the nation, for demonstrating [that] a mountain and a place of such height were excavated for such works.
After Trajan’s death in 117 AD, his ashes were laid to rest inside the column’s pedestal. Engravings and plaster casts of this and other historic monuments along the Grand Tour were taken, and served as blueprints for the various reproductions. This early example of a very large scale reproduction of the column is executed with much greater detail than some of the later copies. A similarly impressive early example was sold, Christie’s, New York, 9 April 2019, lot 96 ($81,250).
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