Venice from the Lido 1896

David Young Cameron made this etching, Venice from the Lido. It evokes the romanticism surrounding Venice, a city that has long captured the imagination of artists and travelers. Looking at this artwork, it’s hard not to think about the cultural phenomenon of the ‘Grand Tour’, where wealthy Europeans, primarily men, journeyed across the continent, often with Venice as a highlight. Cameron, born in Glasgow, Scotland, here embraces the tradition of seeing Venice as a site of beauty and historical significance. But what does it mean to aestheticize a place so steeped in history, power, and, yes, exclusion? This etching is more than just a pretty picture, it's an invitation to consider whose Venice is being represented, and for whom. It invites us to reflect on the complex relationship between art, tourism, and cultural identity. This artwork prompts us to consider the stories that get told, and whose perspectives are centered.