The grand tour, the journey made by noblemen and gentlemen of many nations to Italy in search of antique and modern culture, reached its apogee in the 18th century and came to an end with the Napoleonic Wars in the 1790s. This catalogue looks at this vital aspect of European civilization in the age of Enlightenment from the point of view of several countries and includes the work of foremost artists of the period, amongst them Canaletto, Richard Wilson, Pompeo Batoni, Joseph Wright of Derby and Joshua Reynolds. The vast majority of Grand Tourists were British, and the show focuses on their key role as patrons and collectors of the fine arts. This catalogue details entries on over 200 paintings, sculptures, watercolours, prints and objets d'art from Europe and America. Introductory essays discuss themese such as The Italians observing Foreign Travellers and Italy in the mirror of the Grand Tour. This is the catalogue of an exhibition at the Tate Gallery, October 1996 to January 1997 and at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome, February to April 1997.