Stamp your fine art passport, learn about the necessities of voyages past, and explore ways to travel in style today
Whether jet-setting to the Amalfi coast for a holiday in the sun or packing up to explore parts unknown, wanderlust has captured the fascination of travelers for hundreds of years. Ambitious travel has been part of the cultural landscape for centuries, with the origins of the famed Grand Tour beginning as early as the 1600s. During this time, it became an increasingly popular rite of passage for young aristocrats to visit destinations like Paris, Venice, Florence and Rome as the culmination of their classical education.
The Grand Tour would galvanize many generations of young travelers, reaching its pinnacle in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Though the formal practice of the Grand Tour waned over time, the desire to travel — and to travel in style — has only continued to grow.
From riding in luxury cabins on the Orient Express and setting sail overseas, to journeying to faraway sites to see remarkable archeological finds, to making a grand entrance in the hottest travel destinations of today, travelers have continued to embark on their own “grand tours” for hundreds of years.
This exhibition will explore the art of travel and leisure including souvenirs from worldly adventures, antique travel accessories, painted compositions of international locales, globally-inspired objet d'art and luxurious travel necessities for jet setters today.
Planning a Grand Tour
John and William Cary Table Globes
This pair of 12-inch terrestrial and celestial table globes feature beautifully and accurately detailed maps of the earth and skies. Globes like these were indispensable instruments for planning travels in the era. These were crafted by John and William Cary of London, generally regarded as the greatest British globe makers of the late Georgian period.
For the 18th and 19th centuries’ most prestigious citizens, planning a European excursion was no small task — Grand Tours could last for several months or even years. To carefully plan their voyage, travelers consulted maps and globes and would often read one of the widely popular guidebooks that detailed the escapades of travelers before them. These travelers would also often seek the assistance of a cicerone or a knowledgeable guide who could help lead young travelers or even help tutor them in their classical studies.
“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”
– Andre Gide
Several Grand Tour guides were published throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Popular volumes included Jonathan Richardson and his son Jonathan Richardson the Younger's 1722 guide An Account of Some of the Statues, Bas-Reliefs, Drawings, and Pictures in Italy and Tobias Smollet’s 1766 Travels through France and Italy. Though the Grand Tour was almost always reserved exclusively for male travelers, a select group of upper-class and literate women also went on their own travels. Famed writer Mary Shelley’s 1817 History of a Six Weeks’ Tour, details her unique experience abroad.
Swiss Gold and Enamel Telescope
Affluent traverses would often carry travel instruments such as this scientifically-advanced telescope to not only aid their traveling and sight-seeing but to also relay their status. Exquisitely crafted, this rare 19th-century gold and enamel Swiss telescope is an item of exceptional luxury.
Travelers hailing from England would begin their adventure by crossing the English Channel from Dover to Le Havre, France. These eager tourists would meet up with other young men from countries like France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and even the United States, learning about one another's richly different cultural backgrounds while exploring the history and culture of the countries they visited — an experience not unlike that of students studying abroad today!
Though each traveler’s itinerary differed, Paris always remained an essential stop and the tour almost always met its grand conclusion in Rome, the eternal city. Viewing the remaining structures of Ancient Rome, especially the Colosseum, was seen as the pinnacle of a classical education.
Young travelers often collected mementos from various stops including intaglios and also various specimens, marbles and minerals from the countries they visited. These specimens were often set into elaborate Pietre Dure or micromosaic works. Micromosaics of Roman ruins became quintessential souvenirs of world travel and were incredibly popular with 19th-century Grand Tourists.
The Colosseum Micromosaic by Luigi Gallandt
The Colosseum Micromosaic by Luigi Gallandt is a stunning example, far surpassing any other micromosaics of its kind. Monumental in size at nearly 6 feet wide, it would have been a special commission for a client of particular wealth and importance. This beautiful plaque captures the awe-inspiring view that visitors would have first glimpsed of the monument when approaching from the Roman Forum. The Titus fountain is depicted in front of the towering ruin, while the arch of Constantine is depicted to the right.
Though two-thirds of the Colosseum has been lost to the ravages of time, Gallandt successfully captures both unspoiled and ruinous elements of the façade, evoking both the grandeur and the history of this well-known site. The composition's inclusion of contemporary figures in 19th-century dress emphasizes just how popular this destination was for travelers of the era.
Travel Necessities
“Oh the places you’ll go.”
– Dr. Seuss
Victorian Nécessaire de Voyage
This luxurious blue velvet-lined Nécessaire De Voyage houses various toiletry accouterments and includes a secret three-compartment space for storing one's more valuable items. Ingeniously designed, this case is both practical and beautiful.
While modern means of travel have changed dramatically from the days of the Grand Tour, those with the wanderlust bug have always desired to travel in style. Travel accessories from centuries past help uncover the different needs of travelers of a bygone era and bring timeless travel essentials into focus.
Necessities for Victorian Voyages
Popular in the Victorian age, a Nécessaire De Voyage was an elaborate portable vanity set that carried all the toiletries one might need while traveling. As sets like these grew in popularity, they evolved into highly personalized symbols of wealth among young men and women. Containing everything from toiletries and jewelry to sewing and writing instruments, nécessaires provided a convenient means of transporting the personal necessities of everyday life.
While travelers today pack their toiletries and valuables away in various luggage items, these lavish cases were crafted with unmatched artistry in the finest materials available. A charming reminder of a bygone age of classic elegance, antique travel Nécessaires epitomize elite luxury.
Mother-of-Pearl Sewing Nécessaire
This captivating Palais Royal sewing nécessaire is crafted of engraved mother of pearl mounted in rich doré bronze. The hinged box contains a removable tray lined with velvet that holds an assortment of exquisitely decorated mother-of-pearl and gilt sewing tools in fitted niches, including scissors, a thimble, an awl, a crochet hook, a needle case and two spoked bobbins
Diminutive Travel Accessories
While items like Nécessaires emanate with refinement, other antique travel items showcase how sightseers and tourists navigated the less pleasant aspects of travel. Vinaigrettes were an ingenious invention utilized by gentlemen and ladies to avoid the pungent smells of 18th- and 19th-century city streets. Whether walking through a crowded plaza or finding oneself in the close quarters of a train car or ship hull, a vinaigrette was a valuable and useful item to help mask the more intense scents that accompany adventure.
Travelers would simply place a perfume-soaked piece of fabric inside the vinaigrette vessel, and lift the item to their nose to smell more appealing aromas. With the scented agents held in place by a pierced lid, exquisitely ornate vinaigrettes helped to neutralize the scents of crowded tourist destinations.
Though vinaigrettes became less prevalent in the 20th century, travelers still desired elegant yet inconspicuous accessories for their journeys. Petit compacts that held items like makeup mirrors or cigarettes remained popular throughout the 1900s. Vintage and retro compacts are still sought after today to be used as card holders and accessories.
Mother Of Pearl Vinaigrette, 19th Century
This delightful gold and mother of pearl vinaigrette is ripe with 19th-century charm. Emblazoned with the initials "E.L" for its original owner, the book-shaped vinaigrette almost certainly belonged to a high-class reader. The combination of mother of pearl and gold was exceptionally rare for this era, adding further appeal to this uniquely beautiful item.
Paul Flato Gold and Enamel Compacts
Elegant yet whimsical, these vintage gold and enamel compacts by American designer Paul Flato are decorated with an apropos letter motif, perfect for a traveler writing postcards on the go. Cleverly crafted in high polish 14K yellow gold in the shape of an envelope, each displays witty and intricate details, from the engraved script address and enamel postage stamp on the front to the red "wax seal" on the reverse. Varying in size and shape, two of the custom boxes are cosmetics compacts, one with a hidden mirror. The third box conceals a small clock, for an inventive take on the pocket watch.
Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk
This sophisticated Louis Vuitton steamer trunk evokes the glamour of turn-of-the-century travel. Adorned with Vuitton’s distinctive checked Damier pattern on its canvas covering, this trunk is both elegant and well-crafted, with original brass hardware and wooden slats that help to keep the frame stable. The stylish and spacious case was perfect for long voyages, whether by land or sea. Its flat top — a Louis Vuitton innovation — made it easy to stack the case in cargo, while the soft interior lining protected one’s valuables.
Luxurious Luggage
Since the beginning of world travel, luggage has always been needed to help transport one’s clothing and other necessities. In the early days of long and arduous voyages, trunks and chests were favored for their durability and security. The industrial revolution brought advancements in materials and design, leading to the development of modern suitcases and travel bags, transforming luggage into both a functional necessity and a fashion statement.
One such purveyor of fine and fashionable luggage was the esteemed French atelier Louis Vuitton. Though today the fashion conglomerate is known for a slew of luxury goods and runway fashions, the brand first began as a luggage emporium. In 1854, Louis Vuitton opened his own luggage business at 4 Rue Neuve-des-Capucines. Four years later, he created his first steamer trunk. The result was an iconic line of luggage that continues to be carried by the most fashionable tastemakers today.
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton is considered the world’s first luxury company, and its luggage and leather goods set the standard by which all others are measured. Owning a piece of Louis Vuitton luggage has always been a mark of the most affluent and fashionable of travelers; the company attracted clients such as the Empress Eugénie, who appointed Louis her official trunk-maker.
Luxury luggage remained widely unchanged for much of the 20th century and it was only in 1970 that Bernard D. Shadow created the first innovative suitcase on wheels. The design was updated in 1987 to place the suitcase vertically, attaching two wheels and building a retractable handle. Now, roller and spinner suitcases are the most pervasively seen. And though they are perhaps easier to use when it comes to navigating airport terminals and overhead bins, they do lack the panache of the luxurious luggage and travel accessories used in centuries prior.
photo: Michael Roberts/Maconochie Photography / Vogue.com
Ticket to Ride
Ships, Trains & Planes
“Nothing gives me as much pleasure as traveling. I love getting on trains and boats and planes.”
– Alan Rickman
See the World!
With the advancements made in railroads, ocean liners, and airplanes, comfortable world travel became a real possibility for a whole new generation. Lithographic posters were also a new invention at this time, and they soon became the premier form of advertisement for travel agencies, as well as for these luxurious modes of transportation. With their colorful images of faraway lands and bold typography, these posters were featured in train stations and kiosks across the American and European continents.
While the desire to travel has persisted through the centuries, the means of transportation have continued to evolve with time. From the earliest water-borne vessels and horse-drawn carriages to iconic steam engine luxury passenger liners and locomotives to nascent aviation, the means by which travelers have embarked upon adventures continues to galvanize those who desire to punch their own ticket and set out on a great journey.
Ships
"Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, dream, discover."
– Mark Twain
Boarding the Ship for New York by Auguste Loustaunau
French artist Louis Auguste Georges Loustaunau’s circa 1875 watercolor offers a compelling glimpse into steamship travel. Depicting a couple boarding a ship bound for New York City, the work brings to life the hustle and bustle of the shipyard while celebrating the majesty of the ocean liner. Loustaunau’s composition includes details of 19th-century ship travel including the movements of the ship's crew and passenger's attire and luggage, capturing a snapshot of the era when global travel was just becoming accessible to the masses.
Ship travel has a rich history dating back thousands of years. Early civilizations used simple wooden boats for fishing and short-distance journeys. The Age of Exploration in the 15th to 17th centuries saw the advent of larger, more advanced vessels like caravels and galleons, enabling long-distance exploration and trade.
Steam-powered ships emerged during the 19th century as a transformative advancement in maritime technology. The first successful steamship, the SS Savannah, crossed the Atlantic in 1819. Today, modern cruise and cargo ships dominate global maritime transportation.
The Titanic
When it comes to the steamships of the late 19th and early 20th century, the most legendary of all is unequivocally the Titanic. Built by the shipbuilding company Harland and Wolff in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1909, the Titanic was piece-de-resistance of the White Star Line's fleet. Designed by the naval architect Thomas Andrews, when the Titanic was completed in 1912, it was billed as the unsinkable pinnacle of luxury ocean travel.
The lavish interior and amenities of the Titanic were top-of-the-line and included furniture and decor from the finest firms of the day. In fact, the silverware utilized in the luxury dining sections of the Titanic was by none other than Elkington & Co., one of the finest 19th-century producers of electroplate silver wares. The luxury firm enjoyed years of Royal commissions from Queen Victoria, Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII as well as the monarchs of Spain and Italy. In keeping with the theme of all things refined, selecting Elkington & Co. silverware for its luxury dining rooms was an obvious choice for the Titanic.
The Seasons Decorative
Chargers by Elkington & Co.
This pair of decorative chargers is exemplary of the refined silver produced by the esteemed firm Elkington and Co.
In a somber turn of events, the vessel famously sank on its maiden voyage after colliding with an iceberg, resulting in the deaths of over 1,500 passengers and crew. The sinking prompted significant improvements in maritime safety regulations, including the requirement for sufficient lifeboats on passenger ships. The Titanic's legacy endures as a cautionary tale of human hubris and the lost luxury deep beneath the sea continues to galvanize adventure seekers today.
Contrary to what the cinema may propose, the most expensive item lost in the Titanic wreckage was a painting by Merry-Joseph Blondel entitled La Circassienne au bain. This facsimile attempts to redraw the famous composition, though the true beauty of the original work remains lost forever in the ocean.
Trains
"Trains are wonderful....To travel by train is to see nature and human beings, towns and churches and rivers, in fact, to see life."
– Agatha Christie
Les Rails by Bernard Buffet
Painted in 1982, this compelling oil on canvas by celebrated French Expressionist Bernard Buffet showcases how the train and its tracks continue to captivate artists across mediums.
The development of the steam locomotive by George Stephenson in 1814 gave way to a new dominant means of traversing land. As industrial gears turned and cities blossomed, the train emerged as a method of transportation that felt instantly steeped in romantic notions of travel. Amidst the billowing steam and rhythmic clatter of iron wheels, trains became more than just engines of progress — they carried the promise of reunions and the thrill of stolen glances through windows. Of all the different means of transportation, trains have continued to inspire writers and artists, captivating the hearts and imaginations of generations.
The Orient Express
As the pinnacle of the locomotive glamour, the Orient Express has frequently lent itself to the plot of books and films. The legendary luxury train service made its inaugural journey in 1883, whisking travelers across Europe in opulent style. The passenger train’s iconic route from Paris to Istanbul evoked an air of mystique and adventure, inspiring writers like Agatha Christie to dream up thrilling stories like her famed Murder on the Orient Express.
The Orient Express’s richly adorned cabins and luxury dining cars featured furnishings and amenities created by the most luxurious firms and manufacturers of the day. One such firm, the Parisian Christofle production house has been manufacturing high-quality luxury pieces since 1830. Christofle silver has graced the tables of European and Asian nobility for decades and has been the tableware of choice on such luxury transportation as the Orient Express and the Trans-Siberian Railway. Innovative and revolutionary, the Christofle name is synonymous with elegance and style.
The Orient Express' sumptuous carriages and storied history turned it into a symbol of refinement and intrigue for generations of wanderers. Today, a newly remodeled version of the legendary train showcases how the romantic luxury of trains continues to be pervasive in the cultural zeitgeist. Though there are perhaps more practical methods of travel, trains remain an intriguing part of the history of travel and continue to curry favor with those seeking adventures.
The interior of the new Orient Express reinterpreted by Maxime d'Angea.
Christofle Silverplate Wine Trolley
This wonderful late 19th-century silverplated wine trolley was crafted by Christofle, the French firm renowned for their silver and plated luxury wares. Wine trolleys such as this were crafted with a mechanism that held a single bottle of wine at an angle for optimum breathing. The trolley could easily "rolled along" among dinner guests and poured without disrupting the silt sediment at the bottom of the bottle.
Airplanes
"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return."
– Leonardo da Vinci
While today, traveling by plane is among the most common means of long-distance travel, aviation is still a relatively new method in the world of transportation. Though the Wright Brothers first successfully piloted an airplane in 1903, commercial planes did not earnestly take flight until the early 1930s. Incredibly expensive, the flying experience was harsh and uncomfortable and it was difficult to procure a seat on one of these early commercial aircraft.
Despite the airlines' cheerful advertising, early air travel was not always as glamorous as it claimed to be. Airliners were not pressurized, so they flew at low altitudes and were often bounced about by wind and weather. Though airlines would provide countless amenities to ease passenger distress and help with motion sickness, air travel remained an unpredictable and difficult means of commercial travel well into the 1940s.
Airplane Cocktail Shaker
Crafted in 1928, this striking silver-plated cocktail shaker set by J.A. Henckels features two detachable flasks at the wings. Designed with burgeoning aviation in mind, this traveling airplane-shaped cocktail set includes all the necessary tools to mix first-class drinks wherever one's adventurous spirit takes them. This shaker is modeled with a rare 12-inch wingspan and designed so the tail-fin unscrews and the fuselage serves as the cocktail shaker. Inside, the set includes a large spirit flask, four shot cups, a strainer and juicer, a funnel, corkscrew, nut dish, and under the fuselage, a removable cover attached to the wheels contains four cocktail spoons.
After World War II, passenger travel surged to new levels. When wartime travel restrictions ended, airlines were overwhelmed with passengers. New carriers emerged, and new technology began to revolutionize civil aviation. Despite turbulent beginnings, advancements in commercial aviation only continued and by 1955, for the first time, more people in the United States traveled by air than by train. By 1957 airliners had replaced ocean liners as the preferred means of crossing the Atlantic.
Air India Travel Poster
A genie grants every travel wish in this vintage Air India International travel poster. Created by Trevisan, this lithograph poster’s bold graphic design is bright, intriguing and alluring, with a promise of efficiency and comfort during one’s journey. Posters were the most popular and effective form of advertising for airlines and agencies during the golden age of travel in the early 20th century. Such a gorgeous work would surely have tempted even the most reluctant tourist to book a passage.
By the 1960s, iconic airlines such as Pan Am began to symbolize a new age of luxury travel. Dressed in their legendary Robin’s Egg blue uniforms, Pan Am flight attendants were regarded as having the “Most glamourous Job in the sky.” Today airplane travel feels more pedestrian as the age of Pan Am is well behind us. Still, travelers can find a spot of luxury in air travel with new-fangled developments like private terminals, first-class sleeping pods and even more outrageous luxuries such as in-flight showers available to passengers flying on Emirates’ A380 superjumbo planes.
Traveling in Style
Jewels, Canes & Accessories
"Luxury is in each detail."
– Hubert de Givenchy
Whether savoring a cappuccino in an opulent Roman café or chatting with a fellow traveler in a hidden Parisian speakeasy, the epitome of travel-induced opulence resonates through vintage and antique luxury accessories. Ranging from passport holders and cigarette cases to renowned celebrity makeup compacts, these splendid artifacts transcend the role of mere accessories, effortlessly transforming one from a casual visitor into a poised and cultured denizen of high society. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these accessories often possess an unmatched quality and durability that can withstand the rigors of modern travel, standing as a testament to enduring artistry.
Smoking Accessories
Enter a hazy Parisian salon. A well-dressed musician on his break casually asks for a cigarette. A well-dressed salon-goer, whose French could use a bit of refinement, chooses to not reveal their foreign identity and pulls this treasure from their leather bag.
Smoking paraphernalia enjoyed a peak of fashionability spanning from the 1920s to the 1950s, serving as status symbols displayed with the same prestige as prized pieces of designer jewelry. These accessories reflected the pinnacle of craftsmanship, meticulously fashioned from gold, silver and precious gemstones by the era's foremost jewelers. Today, such exquisite pieces predominantly reside in private collections due to their rarity. Numerous of these cherished cases were sold or lost during challenging periods, enhancing the desirability of surviving examples.
Russian Enamel Cigarette Case
This elegant Russian enamel cigarette case is crafted of gilt silver and decorated with a bright floral design of cloisonné enamel. A turquoise-blue enamel thumbpiece completes the sumptuous design. The case bears the 84 zolotniks mark of St. Petersburg, the assayer’s mark of Yakova Ljapunova and a partial silversmith’s mark.
French Sapphire and Enamel Cigarette Case
This French gold cigarette case is a splendid specimen of early 20th-century style and refinement. The 18K yellow gold accessory is surrounded by exquisite "pinstripe" white enameling with a line of channel-set blue sapphires running along the façade and thumb press.
Pearl, Diamond and Sapphire Art Deco Compact. Circa 1925
Exhibiting exceptional craftsmanship, this sleek and elegant compact embodies the distinctive characteristics of the Art Deco style, where delicate pearls, dazzling diamonds and striking sapphires come together to form a mesmerizing geometric pattern. Originating in the 1920s after World War I, the Art Deco movement quickly spread with globe-trotting travelers through Europe and America, influencing various art and design spheres from soaring skyscrapers to automobiles. Art Deco creations feature crisp outlines, unadorned shapes and geometric arrangements, as evidenced through this remarkable makeup compact.
Makeup Compacts
While traveling undoubtedly brings about various stressors, perhaps few things are as exasperating as losing your luggage, along with carefully chosen toiletries and makeup items. To avoid such a predicament, numerous individuals opt for travel-sized editions of their preferred makeup products, ranging from lipstick to blush. As any female traveler would acknowledge, many passengers head to the restroom after an extended flight or train journey to rejuvenate their appearance. This concept is far from novel, and here are a couple of antique compact options that are both pocket-sized and convenient. Sure to last for many voyages to come, these are the perfect luxury accessories for any jet-setting traveler.
Perhaps no woman traveled more in the golden age of Hollywood than Joan Fontaine. She was renowned for her performances on the silver screen and earned several Academy Award nominations. Notably, she became the youngest leading actress to win an Oscar in 1942 for her role in Alfred Hitchcock's "Suspicion" (1941).
This exquisite Swiss Art Deco minaudière compact is believed to have been her personal travel makeup compact. Skillfully crafted from sterling and gilded silver, this captivating compact is adorned with a bold floral design that shimmers with diamonds and ruby cabochons. Upon opening the cover, a mirror and compartment for pressed powder are revealed, along with a refillable lipstick tube, a small tortoiseshell comb and a lighter, all neatly organized within the sides. Adding to its functionality, a small watch is ingeniously incorporated on the top for easy timekeeping. Engraved with the initials "JF" and accompanied by a fitted pouch lined with suede and silk, this stunning piece epitomizes the essence of luxury craftsmanship.
Retro Compact Owned by Joan Fontaine. Circa 1938
A Gentleman's Travel Accessories
Luxurious travel accessories are not exclusively reserved for glamorous ladies. In fact, well-heeled gentleman have been known to carry refined travel items for centuries. In the late 18th and early 19th century, the development of gentlemanly peronas such as the Dandy and the Flâneur gave way to the creation of fashionable accoutrements of style and sophistication. While the Dandy is a more buttoned-up gentleman who places particular importance on physical appearance and refined language and hobbies, a Flâneur is his more leisurely counterpart — a fashionable wanderer and observer of modern urban life.
While the preferred styles of these sophisticated men have changed over the years, and gentleman have traded top hats and tailcoats for more contemporary fashions, travel items like pocket watches and luxury walking sticks have persisted as handsome accessories of status carried by the most discerning and genteel travelers of then and now.
Cartier Art Deco Pocket Watch
A study in classic Art Deco design, this pocket watch was crafted by the famed Cartier. Housed in an 18K gold open face case, the timepiece boasts a sleek design adorned by light blue guilloche enameling on the reverse.
The Cartier tradition of clock and watchmaking extends almost as far back as the founding of the company in 1898. Thereafter, Cartier's clocks and watches were manufactured with an emphasis on technical perfection, fashionable aesthetics and originality. At first, a secondary activity, Cartier’s definitive approach to l’horlogerie quickly became a point of prestige for this famed company.
Fabergé Canes
The most desirable decorative canes incorporated luxurious artistry and precious materials to display one’s social status, and perhaps the greatest makers of these exquisite objets d’art was the House of Fabergé. A hallmark of Fabergé canes is their use of color, which came in the form of delicate enameling and magnificent hardstones. With luminescent finishes and delicate gold gilt, Fabergé canes demonstrates the pinnacle of refinement.
Walking Sticks
While some walking sticks were put to practical use by travelers in need of assistance when traversing exciting locales, these elegantly decorated canes were often used more so as fashionable accessories. Not to be used as a walking aid, these canes were intended to be “worn” as symbols of class, prestige and good taste. There are three categories of canes: decorative, system or gadget and weapon canes. System or weapons canes concealed everything from watches and small flasks to swords and flare guns!
An Evening in Monte Carlo
Make a Glamorous Statement
When Glamour is on the Itinerary
Some ambitious travelers seek out rural locales off the beaten path, while others seek the iconic glamour of famous destinations. Whether attending the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, the State Opera in Vienna or spending an enchanting evening at the world-famous Casino de Monte-Carlo, showstopping jewels make a lasting impression.
Monte-Carlo is a dazzling district in the city-state of Monaco. Celebrated internationally for its upscale lifestyle and stunning Mediterranean views, the opulent Casino de Monte-Carlo is the destination’s iconic crowning jewel. Known for its luxurious architecture and high-stakes gambling, posh visitors have flocked to the Casino de Monte-Carlo since the 19th century, desiring to see and be seen! Designer fashions and gleaming jewels are a must to make a grand entrance. From antique jewels with rare provenance to earrings and rings set with the most coveted gemstones from around the world, high jewelry pieces always dazzle and delight.
British Royal Diamond Bow Brooch
Henry Pelham-Clinton, the 5th Duke of Newcastle, commissioned the creation of this 200.00-carat diamond brooch for his wife, Lady Susan Hamilton in 1840. After Lady Susan first donned the magnificent brooch at Queen Victoria’s royal wedding, it was passed down through her generations as a cherished heirloom. It was later inherited by Kathleen Florence May Pelham-Clinton, Duchess of Newcastle — a renowned socialite, esteemed dog breeder and conformation show judge. She famously wore this radiant brooch at the Devonshire Ball in 1897.
La Loge by Jean-Gabriel Domergue
Jean-Gabriel Domergue’s elegantly seductive sitter epitomizes the sort of luxurious glamour these elegant locations inspire. With the her flirtatious eyes gazing from beneath a gauzy polka-dot veil, this auburn-haired beauty embodies the sophistication for which destinations like Monte-Carlo and the Vienna Opera are known. The woman is exceedingly poised, focused on the performance, her brightly rouged lips parted in concentration. A well-heeled man sits beside her, peering into opera glasses. The slender, modern woman of La loge exudes confidence and style, displaying the qualities of Domergue's work that earned him the reputation of “inventor of the pin-up.”
Painted Destinations
Stamp Your Fine Art Passport
While the desire to travel has captivated globetrotters for centuries, sometimes making the physical journey to faraway destinations abroad is not totally feasible. The doldrums of everyday life can sometimes interfere with wanderlust. Luckily, viewers can continue to stamp their passports in spirit by encountering the plethora of painted compositions that immortalize some of the most storied destinations on Earth. Certain metropolitan cities have attracted aspiring artists and their stunning architecture and views provided a fountain of inspiration for artists, resulting in magnificent cityscapes for the world to enjoy.
View of San Giorgio Maggiore
Giacomo Guardi
1764-1835 | Italian
By the mid-18th century, Venice had become renowned as the center of production for vedute, a genre of highly detailed cityscapes, or vistas. The Guardi family were arguably the genre’s greatest practitioners, and they are historically considered to be the last true painters of the Venetian School in its classical form. Both Francesco Guardi and his son Giacomo painted the San Giorgio Maggiore — Francesco’s version of the scene is currently in the collection of the Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg). In both subject and style, this work closely resembles the present gouache by his son.
While scenes like these appealed to the wealthy Italian elite, they were most popular amongst English travelers and other cultivated tourists partaking in their Grand Tour. Giacomo's masterfully executed works in watercolor and gouache were the perfect souvenirs that captured the picturesque beauty and architectural drama of Venice. This gouache is an exceptional example of his output, capturing the lasting grandeur of the City of Water.
“There are no foreign lands. It is the traveller only who is foreign.”
– Robert Louis Stevenson
Venice, Italy
L'Arc de triomphe
André Brasilier
b. 1929 | French
Energized with bold color, this monumental oil on canvas by famed French painter André Brasilier captures the famed Arc de Triomphe, one of Paris' most recognizable landmarks, on Bastille Day. The architectural grandeur of the historic site and the celebratory nature of the scene come alive thanks to Brasilier's expressionist influences, seen in his distinctive loose brushstrokes and saturated color palette. A French flag, hanging from the apex of the arch, dominates the canvas and vibrates with intensity of color. The artist perfectly evokes the vitality of this distinctively Parisian affair, with the monument and crowds awash in the bright light of the midday sun.
Paris, France
La Ville
Jean Dufy
1888-1964 | French
A deep blue shadow engulfs a grand Parisian boulevard in this vibrant oil on canvas by the French painter Jean Dufy. Paris was not only home to Dufy, but also his greatest source of inspiration. The spirited mood of the boulevards and parks was captured time and again by the artist throughout his career, all through a veil of harmonious, vibrant blue tones. His oeuvre reveals his passion for color, which is fully realized in the present work. His bright blue sky is reflected across the boulevard and its red and yellow buildings, while his spontaneous brushwork breaths life into the promenading figures who populate the scene. Avant-garde in style and classic in subject, this work reveals Dufy at his best.
The Giant Cities–London
Louis Aston Knight
1873-1948 | American
This monumental landscape painting of London's famed Tower Bridge was created by Parisian-born American artist, Louis Aston Knight. Son of legendary landscapist Daniel Ridgway Knight, Aston Knight devoted his life to landscape painting much like his father, maintaining the elder’s ideals of expressing the “true to life” splendors of the natural world.
This composition hails from a triptych series of paintings entitled The Giant Cities, which showcases the awe-inspiring vistas of London, Paris and New York. The Giant Cities–London offers the viewer a wondrous view of the London Tower Bridge as seen from the Thames. Aston Knight upheld a deep love and admiration for water in his canvases, rendering every ripple, wave and reflection with astonishing perspective singular to this amazing artist’s works. This collection earned the artist the gold medal at the 1906 Paris Salon and the title of hors-concours, the first American to win the Salon’s highest award for two consecutive years in 1905 and 1906.
“By seeing London, I have seen as much of life as the world can show.”
– Samuel Johnson
London, England
Market in Cairo
Achille Vertunni
1826-1897 | Italian
Achille Vertunni’s Market in Cairo showcases the vibrant palette that serves as a cornerstone of the artist’s oeuvre. Cairo’s bustling streets and markets were a favorite subject of the Italian artist. At a time when many European men traveled to Italy to participate in the Grand Tour, Vertunni’s paintings of Egypt offered worldly patrons a tantalizing taste of life across the Mediterranean. This large period frame, comprised of motifs that reference classic Islamic geometry, is intricately carved in breathtaking form.
Egypt
Karnak
Eleanor Parke Custis
1897-1983 | American
In Karnak, Custis paints a compelling and dynamic image of a great ancient Egyptian ruin. Seven distant men, likely Bedouins dressed in their traditional long gowns and headscarves, walk toward the viewer at the center of the frame. The imposing stone architecture of the archaeological ruins at Karnak stretches into the solid blue sky, making the men appear diminutive next to the pillars’ monumental size.
Custis was incredibly well-traveled, finding inspiration for her watercolors and gouaches throughout Europe and South America. She took a Mediterranean cruise in 1934 that brought her new interest in the markets of Morocco, the archaeological sites of Cairo and the streets of Jerusalem. The compelling Karnak composition was certainly a product of this trip, infused with the photojournalistic realism that defines her gouaches of this period.
"From the heights of these pyramids, forty centuries look down on us."
—Napoleon Bonaparte
Plan Your Grand Tour
The desire to travel has been a pillar of culture for hundreds of years. From the Grand Tour, to voyages across the sea on luxury steam liners, to plane rides to exotic locales, wanderlust has remained pervasive. Exploring items like worldly souvenirs and gloabally-inspired objet d’art, travel accessories from then and now, painted compositions of international destinations, and learning more about the history of the various ways people have made their journeys around the globe only emphasizes how inextricably linked art and culture are to travel. Exploring the art of travel and leisure certainly piques any adventurers interest—so why not go ahead and book the flight, punch your ticket, stamp your passport and embark on your next great journey.
Mahogany Carriage Clock by James McCabe
This solid mahogany traveling clock with balance wheel escapement was crafted by celebrated London clockmaker James McCabe for London’s Royal Exchange. During the second half of the 19th century, carriage clocks such as this were considered scientific marvels in addition to being admired for their beauty and design. Royal and wealthy patrons throughout Europe and America carried these clocks on their travels around the globe.
“To travel is to live.”
– Hans Christian Andersen
© 2023 M.S. Rau. All rights reserved
Whether jet-setting to the Amalfi coast for a holiday in the sun or packing up to explore parts unknown, wanderlust has captured the fascination of travelers for hundreds of years. Ambitious travel has been part of the cultural landscape for centuries, with the origins of the famed Grand Tour beginning as early as the 1600s. During this time, it became an increasingly popular rite of passage for young aristocrats to visit destinations like Paris, Venice, Florence and Rome as the culmination of their classical education.
The Grand Tour would galvanize many generations of young travelers, reaching its pinnacle in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Though the formal practice of the Grand Tour waned over time, the desire to travel — and to travel in style — has only continued to grow.
From riding in luxury cabins on the Orient Express and setting sail overseas, to journeying to faraway sites to see remarkable archeological finds, to making a grand entrance in the hottest travel destinations of today, travelers have continued to embark on their own “grand tours” for hundreds of years.
This exhibition will explore the art of travel and leisure including souvenirs from worldly adventures, antique travel accessories, painted compositions of international locales, globally-inspired objet d'art and luxurious travel necessities for jet setters of both yesteryear and today.
Discover More Travel Related Treasures
The late Andre Leon Talley, Vogue editor and fashion tour-de-force famously carried a slew of monogrammed Louis Vuitton trunks and accessories everywhere he traveled. Talley lived in the tradition of grandeur first established in the 19th century and, even after his passing, Talley’s star power continues to make Louis Vuitton trunks both relevant and coveted.
Bezel Wound Watch Cane
This rare bezel wound watch cane combines form and function. To wind, simply hold the bezel while turning the shaft of the cane. The elegant walking stick is an exceptional example of the superior craftsmanship seen in system canes.
“If I were not King of France, I would choose to be a citizen of Venice.”
– King Henry III
“There are only two places in the world where we can live happy—at home and in Paris.”
– Ernest Hemingway