The Grand Tour

The beginning of the sixteenth century; saw a new age of curiosity and exploration that culminated in the popularity of the Grand Tour. No education was complete until they spent from one to three years traveling around Europe with a tutor.

The practice continued eventually becoming a right of passage for young upper-class and lasted anywhere from several months to several years. The Grand Tour provided the only opportunity to view specific works of art, and possibly the only chance to hear certain music. Works of art were essential to demonstrate the breadth and polish they had received from their tour.

The Grand Tour had significant cultural importance; ruling-class control in the 18th century was located primarily in a cultural hegemony. The Grand Tour was seen as powerful tool used to influence the culturally diverse society, the larger the cultural influence the ruling class have; the more their imposed, ruling-class worldview becomes the accepted cultural norm. The Power gained in cultural influence from a Grand Tour was almost as important as an expression of economic or physical (military) power.

In essence, the Grand Tour was neither a scholarly pilgrimage nor a religious one, though a pleasurable stay in Venice and a residence in Rome were essential.