Portrait of a Young Man Standing on the Quirinal with the Turris Comitum in the Background c. 19th century

Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres made this pencil drawing of a young man standing on the Quirinal with the Turris Comitum in the background, most likely in the early 19th century. The artwork evokes the Grand Tour, a customary trip through Europe undertaken by young upper-class men to acquire cultural knowledge. In this portrait, the Turris Comitum becomes a backdrop that signifies the city of Rome, as a must-see destination for any young man wishing to acquire cultural capital. Ingres was active in Rome at this time, making a living by drawing the portraits of wealthy visitors who were passing through, like this one. The man’s fashionable dress and confident pose reflect his social standing and position of power. The image operates as a kind of status symbol, demonstrating that the subject of the portrait has both the financial means to travel and the cultural awareness to appreciate the significance of Rome’s historical sites. Art historians might look to conduct biographical research on Ingres and his patrons to further contextualize this image within the history of tourism.