In 1545, German humanist N. Gerbelius published an accompanying text to the
map of Nicolaos Sofianos, also published the mid-16th century). Gerbelius illustrates his
texts with views of cities and other locations connected to place names on the
map. The first representation of the ancient sanctuary is imaginary, and
includes features of a fortified city. Almost two centuries later, the
chronicle by G. Wheler (1682), which is but a mediocre copy
of J. Spon's work, but highly successful, includes a draft of the area of
Delphi, showing the village and some ancient remains. The subjects of the
illustrations which accompany this edition of J. Spon 's voyage (1678), which is highly
significant for the author's pioneering exploration of ancient sites, are novel
and groundbreaking for their time. Most of the pictures are first-ever
depictions of archaeological sites and remains.
J.J. Barthélemy created a travel narrative
which was at the same time a fictional recreation of antiquity, and painted an
idyllic map of the ancient world, thus fuelling the public's interest for
antiquity. It was enriched by maps and drawings by Barbié de Bocage (1832 reedition),
among which are included a map and a view of Delphi.
J. Stuart and Ν. Revett realized precise measurements and
delineations of ancient monuments, and completed their work with archaeological
observations and travel impressions. They inaugurated the new era of European
neoclassicism, as from now on detailed measurement replaces the imaginary
depiction of monuments, and their work was warmly received by the British
public. Their highly polished editions (1794, 1814, 1816) include views and
plans of the site of the Castalian spring.
Ch.R. Cockerell was a member of the Dilettante
society, which inspired, promoted and realized archaeological expeditions to
Greek territories until 1846, subsequently publishing their conclusions in
monumental volumes. Cockerell drew several architectural features from Delphi.
In the
years preceding the Greek revolution several travellers toured continental
Greece and left behind them significant works on the subject. They were not
indiferrent to Delphi and its past although few remains were to be seen in
plain sight. An impressive drawing of the landscape in Delphi is included in
the work by J.C. Hobhouse (1813), who produced the most
profound analysis of urban centres of Continental Greece and was an ardent
supporter of the Greek struggle for Independence.
The
poetic and artistic work by W. Haygarth (who travelled in 1810-11 and
pubished his chronicle in 1814), includes a view of Delphi, while an
interesting topographic draft of the area can be found in the work by
T.S. Hughes,
another fervent Philhellene and supporter of Greek independence.
The journey made by British archaeologist Ed. Dodwell and the subsequent editions of
Dodwell's account established a new style of reading space and elements
included therein such as landscape, antiquities, people etc. Dodwell published
drawings of coins from Deplhi. The magnificent plates by Ed. Dodwell (1819) provide a wealth of information
on public and private life of the Greeks in the pre-revolutionary period. His
travel companion, Italian painter S. Pomardi published his own account of
the same trip (1820), illustrated with several drawings, including very
interesting views of Delphi. Coins of Delphi are also depicted in the
treatise by Danish archaeologist P.Ol. Brönstend (1826). After his journey in
Greek lands, at the begining of the 19th century,
Stackelberg was
able to render historical locations and antiquities in accordance with the
emerging tendency of romanticism (1834).
Highly
prolific Philhellene painter W. Williams naturally included the
landscape of Delphi among his subjects (1829), while one of his subjects is
found among the lithographs by painter Et. Rey (1867). Ο F.C.H.L. Pouqueville,
author of one of the most thorough works on geomorphology of continental
Greece, used views already published in earlier, successful and influential
travel accounts to illustrate his work “Gréce” (1835).
Chr. Wordsworth published his work on Greece, a
historical narrative rather than a travel account, soon after the foundation of
the Greek state. The work was richly illustrated and very succesful with the
public. In addition to views of Delphi (the Castalian spring, the valley of
Pleistos, the village of Castri), Wordsworth has an ancient relief from the
site (1882). The landscape of Delphi as part of a romantic scenery is also
found in C. Frommel (1830).
The
Castalian spring, the only visible remains of the sanctuary's history, is often
repeated as subject of illustrations (L. Dupré).
Towards the late 19th century, the landscape of Parnassus,
the Castalian spring and a male costume of the area are depicted in travel
accounts (R.R. Farrer in 1882 και Α. Schweiger Lerchenfeld in 1887). A female costume is included
in the remarkable work by O.M. von Stackelberg(1828)
who achieved in his paintings of human types the same calm and serene
atmosphere that he had conveyed in his paintings of Greek landscapes. The
capacity for insight and keen observation evident throughout Henri Belle's
text (1881) equally mark the illustrations of his travel account.
By the
19th century travel guides had become
indispensable to travellers. Thanks to the revolutionary “pocket size” invented
by K. Baedeker,
the maps of archaeological locations, such as Delphim and fully updated
drawings, the Guides became more practical and sold better.
In the
early 20th century the photographic lens becomes
the “philosophical stone” of historical memory and ancient remains are
immortalized in their most realistic form (E. Reisinger in 1923, Fr. Perilla in 1929). Important cultural
events which took place in Delphi such as the revival of the Delphic Games,
were recorded in photographs by R. Puaux. The
landscape of Delphi (which is a World Heritage Site) never ceased to inspire
the artists who visited it, and captured its beauty in their paintings (Vera Willoughby in 1925).
Written
by Ioli Vingopoulou, Source: A. LASKARATOS Foundation, Web Site: TRAVELOGUES: Travelers' Views/ Delphi Greece
Note: There are Links on each Name
Sort selection of paintings
C. Frommel:
E. Reisinger (Photo):
Ed Dodwell:
HW Williams:
Ed. Dodwell:
O. Stackelberg:
R. Pauax (Photo):
Ch Wordsworth:
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