Gezicht op Castel Sant'Angelo bij haven van Malta en schiereiland Senglea 1778

Louis Ducros created this watercolor depiction of Castel Sant'Angelo, the harbor of Malta, and the Senglea peninsula, likely in the late 18th century. This vista offers us insight into the way Malta was perceived within the context of the Grand Tour. Malta, due to its strategic position in the Mediterranean, was of interest to European powers, and its fortifications represented a sophisticated, militarized society. The cultural references are apparent in the detailed architectural renderings and the inclusion of various ships, signifying trade and naval power. Ducros, as an artist, found patronage among wealthy Europeans eager to acquire picturesque views of their travels. This piece, therefore, reflects a commercial exchange, where artistic skill met the demand for collectible landscapes. Historians use sources such as travel logs, merchant shipping records, and military archives to better understand the complex interplay of culture, commerce, and conflict in places such as Malta. The painting stands as a testament to how places are transformed into images to meet the desires of those in power.