Francesco Zerilli (Palermo 1793-1837)


A set of eight views of Sicily i) The Temple at Segesta with the Agora in the distanceii) The City and Port of Catania with Mount Etna beyondiii) Palermo from the seaiv) Palermo and Mount Pellegrino from the coastv) Palermo with Mount Pellegrino beyond, the river in Oreto in the foregroundvi) Palermo from Mount Pellegrino, with Bagheria beyondvii) Valley of the Temples at Agrigentoviii) Palermo and Mount Pellegrino from Bagheriafive signed with initials 'FZ'all gouacheeach 8 x 14cm (3 1/8 x 5 1/2in).(8)
|Souvenirs from the Grand TourFrom the late 17th century through to the 19th century it became fashionable for aristocratic and well-to-do gentleman to visit Europe and complete their cultural education. Italy was an essential destination with Rome's classical ruins to admire, as well as those in Sicily and Naples. The Grand Tourists required souvenirs from their travels and in the late 18th and 19th centuries this led to a flourishing market in topographical gouaches depicting the port of Naples and its environs, such as the picturesque Bay of Sorrento, spectacular eruptions of Mount Vesuvius, and the newly discovered Pompeian frescoes, as affordable mementos of their visit.