POMARDI, Simone
In his two-volume travel chronicle, Italian painter Simone Pomardi (1760-1830) describes his journey to Greece together with British archaeologist E. Dodwell in 1805-1806. The two probably met in Rome in 1804. Dodwell engaged him as artist for his tour of Greece, and Pomardi made 600 drawings and composed the account of the journey. Dodwell often speaks of his companion’s ability as a draftsman and praises him as an observant, diligent and talented artist.
Unlike his employer, Pomardi was not an erudite scholar. Even so, he wrote a clear and concise account that focuses on the current situation of each region, touching on subjects such as the customs of the Muslims, the quality of the lodgings, and so on, while making references to history and mythology, but without citing sources. It is certain that Pomardi made many of his drawings following Dodwell’s indications. Indeed, many of their drawings look identical, even in their viewpoint. In the end, however, Pomardi’s works are distinguished by their clarity, consistency and a special painterly quality.
In his chronicle, Pomardi describes how he and Dodwell travelled from Rome to Sicily and then to Zacynthos, Missolonghi, Patras, Naupactus, Galaxidi, Amphissa, Delphi and Boeotia. He also relates their stay in Athens. Pomardi continued on to Phthiotis, Thessaly, Magnesia, Phocis, Boeotia, Euboea, the Argolid and Corinth. He was the first to draw landscapes of these regions (Pleuron, Thisbe, Lamia, etc.). At the end of his journey Pomardi fell ill and was obliged to sail to Zacynthos, eventually returning to Italy by way of Ithaca, Leucas and Corfu.
Written by Ioli Vingopoulou
POMARDI, Simone - Piraeus
POMARDI, Simone - Rest Images
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Funerary monuments in the ancient city of Thisbe in Boeotia.
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Part of the fortifications of Nea Plevrona, also known as Kyra – Rini castle.
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Remains of walls of the ancient city Myonia, today Agia Efthimia in Phocis.
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Zakynthos, Cephalonia, Ithaca, Lefkada and Echinades islands.
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Part of the fortifications of Nea Plevrona, also known as Kyra – Rini castle.
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Remains of walls of the ancient city Myonia, today Agia Efthimia in Phocis.
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Ancient remains under the church of Profitis Ilias in Delphi.
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The cave and oracle of Trophonius at the feet of the medieval castle of Livadeia.
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Funerary monument in Orchomenus, called the “Tomb of Minyas”.
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The remains of Plataea (Plataies), Mount Cithaeron in the background.
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View of the fortifications of Eleutherae, known as Gyfrokastro.
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View of the Parthenon, with the mosque built on the site after the temple's bombardment in 1687.
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The Choregic Monument of Thrasyllus on the southern slope of the Acropolis.
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Ancient theatre on the outskirts of Missologhii, possibly in Nea Plevrona.
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View of the gulf of Patras, with the fortresses of Rio and Antirrio.
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The inscription on the Gate of Athena Archegetis in the Roman Agora of Athens.
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Roman inscription from Athens, as transcribed by Jacob Spon.
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The entrance to the Corinthian gulf. Varasova in the distance.
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The fortresss of Fyli at the feet of Mount Parnitha in Attica.
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The thermal springs of Thermopylae, at the outfall of Spercheios river into the Malian gulf.
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The interior of the Tholos Tomb of Mycenae (Treasury of Atreus).
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The port of Zakynthos. In the background, the Venetian castle.