The Concept of Vedute

Vedute often featured identifiable sites that became familiar to tourists and international parties alike.  The Roman forum, St. Peter’s Cathedral, the Colosseum, and other ancient architectural feats became icons of Italian culture as a result of an overwhelming effort on the part of artists to catalogue monuments of the city.  It is worth noting, however, that the detailed and accurate depictions of architectural structures and spaces were often placed within imaginary, idyllic settings with a conglomeration of the most well-known objects and buildings. In fact, vedute appeared most frequently in two forms: vedute prese da i luoghi, which were meticulously rendered views of definite places, while vedute ideate were fictitious views combined with authentic buildings.^[1]  Works of art that effectively and deceptively mixed imaginary and real features in painting, known as a capriccio, were popularized during this period.  Furthermore, print reproductions of Panini’s vedute allowed this memorable and idyllic sentiment of Italy’s past and present to spread rapidly, drawing aristocrats, collectors, artists, and historians to take part in the Grand Tour.