Elevation "della nuova Galleria" 1796 - 1873

Giovanni Battista Silvestri made this watercolor elevation of a gallery sometime in the 19th century. Architectural drawings like this one, showing the design for a new gallery, give us insight into the social life of art. The design reflects a culture steeped in the tradition of the Grand Tour. The neoclassical style, with its emphasis on symmetry, proportion, and classical motifs, reveals the cultural influence of ancient Greece and Rome. The inclusion of classical sculpture, framed by the architecture, indicates a desire to create spaces for the appreciation of art and the cultivation of taste. Such drawings are invaluable for understanding the institutional history of art. They offer information on the social conditions that shaped the production and reception of art, and the role of institutions in shaping artistic taste. Researching period documents, such as architectural treatises, exhibition catalogs, and visitor accounts can only enrich our understanding.