The Arts Society: November Lecture

Stuart Harvey is a “History and Art Communicator” of 30 years’ experience. He is a London Blue Badge Tourist Guide (qualified in 1998 – awarded “New Guide of the Year”) and also a Guida Turistica Abilitata della Provincia di Roma (qualified in 2010). Since 1992 he has lead study tours all over Europe. Living in Rome since 2003, Stuart has developed a great love for the Eternal City and its many treasures. In addition to his primary career as full-time Rome tourist guide, Stuart’s entertaining, lively lectures and virtual tours bring the rich artistic and historical wealth of Rome’s 28 centuries to life for people all over the world.

The Grand Tourists of the 1700s changed the art world. Rome was now filled with wealthy travellers, many from Britain, not only visiting the great works of art and architecture, but also looking for portraits, miniatures, mosaics and ancient sculptures to purchase for their family collections. This lecture will highlight some of the most famous visitors to Rome, including many artists who came to study, and will introduce some of the fascinating characters that catered to them in Rome, as we look at how the art world in Rome adapted to this lucrative new market.