Gezicht op de kust van de Adriatische zee met een observatietoren aan de overzijde van Monopoli 1778

Louis Ducros created this watercolor view of the Adriatic coast, including an observation tower near Monopoli. Ducros was Swiss, but like many artists of the late 18th century, he gravitated to Italy, drawn by its classical past and picturesque landscapes. Watercolors like this one were often made as souvenirs for wealthy tourists on the Grand Tour. But what might seem like a simple landscape also tells us something about the social and political world of the time. The tower, for example, reminds us that even seemingly peaceful coastal areas were once sites of conflict and surveillance. The Adriatic was contested by various powers, and towers like this one were used to spot approaching ships, suggesting the constant threat of invasion or piracy. To fully understand this image, we might consult historical maps, travel guides, and military records. These sources can help us to better understand the complex social and political forces that shaped this seemingly tranquil scene.