Italienische Reise — Band 2

In this intimate travel diary the writer records his second Roman sojourn from June 1787 to April 1788, sending letters home that read like vivid postcards. He describes the solemnity of the Feast of Corpus Christi, the riotous colors of the Roman carnival, and the awe‑inspiring waterfalls and ruins of Tivoli, all observed with the eye of a keen sketch‑artist. The narrative blends observations of grand architecture, papal tapestries, and the everyday bustle of the city, inviting listeners into the sensory world of 18th‑century Italy.

Beyond the scenery, the author turns the journey inward, noting how the foreign landscape begins to feel like home and how his own taste sharpens under the guidance of the painter Hackert. Their discussions about the nature of artistic imitation, the study of beauty, and the discipline required for a true craft give the letters a thoughtful, almost philosophical edge. Listeners will hear candid humor, earnest self‑reflection, and a fresh appreciation for art and nature as they travel alongside him.