Oude kasteel van Mata en Grifone en het karmelieten klooster, grondvesten van Messina 1778

Louis Ducros created this watercolor depicting the old castle of Mata and Grifone and the Carmelite monastery, on the foundations of Messina, likely in the 1780s or 90s. Ducros was Swiss, but he made many such views of Italy, catering to the fashion for landscape among northern European tourists. Messina, in Sicily, had a long and complex history by this point, having been ruled by the Spanish Habsburgs since the 16th century. The city was an important port, but it was also prone to earthquakes and plague. Here, the buildings are neatly ordered, suggesting security and stability, yet the crumbling walls of the castle hint at decline. Religious orders such as the Carmelites were immensely powerful institutions throughout Europe at this time, but their role in society was increasingly questioned as the Enlightenment took hold. Understanding this image fully means using resources such as historical maps, travel accounts, and institutional records. Only then can we appreciate how this artist both reflected and shaped the perceptions of his time.