Album zur Erinnerung an Athen

The illustrated albums which exalted the natural and architectural beauties of Italy, the Eastern Mediterranean, Istanbul and other locations became very popular in the 19th century. The illustrations were done by distinguished painters, while authors would be hired to compose short or extended explanatory texts. These texts were issued in at least two European languages in order to attract a wider public. Well-known publishing houses of Britain, Italy, Germany and elsewhere released series of similar travel albums.

The present album includes plates showing Athenian monuments. The illustrations are clearly copies of earlier works, such as the album by the eminent French painter Théodore du Moncel, published in 1845. The illustrations of du Moncel include realistic snapshots showing human figures, which add a picturesque note to the views of the monuments; these human figures were almost always done by another artist.

Written by Ioli Vingopoulou