The Voyage of the Abbott of Saint-Non: an Example of “Critical Reading” of the Territory

Abstract

The essay establishes a comparison between the Voyage pittoresque of the Abbot Richard and reports regarding the trips in Tuscany written by the last Grand Dukes, Pietro Leopoldo and Leopold II. Unlike previous times, in the 18th century, travel diaries were drafted on a scientific basis. In the Viaggio pittoresco, a relevant part consisted of drawings. They represented facts documenting the journey and supporting the reliability of the observations. These tables originated from an in-depth analysis carried out at the end of the journey with the support of both notes and sketches and are the result of a careful analysis of documentary evidence carried out by multidisciplinary scientific teams. They ultimately draft the most relevant features selected after analysis of both natural elements and human works. This investigation method is an example of the “critical reading” of the territory as required for completion of works within areas of protected landscape. After his journey, Leopold II began a project of land reclamation that in several decades changed the Grossetan plain landscape. In the same years, the marshy area surrounding Rosarno was transformed into a fertile plain with canals, roads, pine forests, and new towns. Thus, it may be possible to have new landscapes worthy of being reproduced in a future Voyage pittoresque, if both infrastructures and works are made in respect of the characteristic features of the landscape, or with the intent to create news features which are both “integrated and consistent”, in accordance with the BBCC Code.