Dupaty’s travel account is one of the later sources gathered in this blog. It was written in the form of letters, a common style used by many writers, such as Charles de Brosses and John Boyle; it therefore includes more personal remarks. Dupaty’s observations and experiences from several major cities (including Genoa, Florence, Rome and…Continue reading Charles-Marguerite-Jean-Baptiste Mercier Dupaty (1746-1788), Lettres sur l’Italie en 1785 (1788)

The French astronomer Joseph-Jerôme de Lalande visited Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Italy, and England during his lifetime. He kept a journal in which he noted down his impressions and observations most likely with the intention of eventually publishing them. His notes from his trip to Italy, made between 1765 and 1766, were published in eight volumes…Continue reading Joseph-Jerôme de Lalande (1732-1807), Voyage d’un Français en Italie (1765/1769)

An English historian, renowned for The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, also made a Grand Tour in his young adulthood. Between 1763 and 1764, he set off to Italy via France. He visited Rome during this trip, which inspired him to write The Decline and Fall. His account of the Camposanto is brief,…Continue reading Edward Gibbon (1737-1794), Journey from Geneva to Rome (1764)

Grosley, a local historian and magistrate of his native Troyes, became well-known through his two travel accounts. One is about his observations in London and the English people (Londres. Ouvrage d’un François); this publication was well received. The other publication that made him popular was his travel account of Italy, initially described as the work…Continue reading Pierre-Jean Grosley (1718-1783), Nouveaux mémoires ou observations sur l’Italie et sur l’Italiens (1758/1764)

Charles-Nicolas Cochin was a French engraver, writer and art critic. He learned painting and engraving from his artist father. Among Cochin’s famous works are the illustrations for La Fontaine’s Fables. Voyage d’Italie is an abridgment of the notes and observations on the masterpieces seen in Italy, recorded by the artist during the trip he made…Continue reading Charles-Nicolas Cochin (1715-1790), Voyage d’Italie (1758)