Department of Modern Languages and Literatures - The Capitals of Italian Culture

The Capitals of Italian Literature

Every kind of sojourn experience is in itself a formation of new ideas a creation of new art , an examination of the boundaries or capabilities of an individual within and outside the context of human interaction and foremost an artist 's awakening towards self-discovery . The ultimate Italian sojourn is an efficient means of unearthing more about oneself in the presence of art objects , historical sites , landscapes , and other Italian artifacts

Johann Wolfgang Goethe felt the urgent desire to leave home at the age of 37 and

seek a new kind of enlightenment in his life . He took off his bags and jumped to the west side streets of Italy . In his novel , Italian Journey , he said , My purpose in making this wonderful journey is not to delude myself but to discover myself in the objects I see (Goethe 57 . His journey was a reflection of an inner desire of an artist on the verge of revealing the core of his being in the light of artistic pursuits

Goethe found himself in the arms of romantic Italian scenery . He depicted Italy as a new place that helped him overcome personal and creative struggles He described the city of Rome as a place of rebirth of a poet . He found a rebirth of his whole being from the replenishment of new insights and series of romantic observations of Italian places and artifacts . For example is how Vesuvius had proven wonders to him and other tourists

Most of the foreigners are wildly excited over the present eruption of Vesuvius , and it takes a strong character not to be swept away oneself (Goethe 145 .The background - Vesuvius and all the surrounding countryside - gives the whole thing an incomparable majesty (Goethe 316

Goethe has also talked about how his portrait made by Tischbein given him a certain feeling of pride and excitement : The large portrait of me , which Tischbein has started on , is already beginning to grow out of the canvass (174 .My portrait is going to be very good (347

How could we also forget Goethe 's intrigue in seeing the architect Palladio 's masterpieces such as the Palladian buildings and the Olympic Theater

Looking at the buildings which Palladio completed , in particular at his churches , I have found much to criticize side by side with great excellence (89 .Palladio has opened it to me , and the way to all art and life as well (95

He compared Palladio 's godly talent to the power of a master poet , both creating a fresh lifestyle out of the ordinary and leading him to a deeper understanding of the art and life

He studied the art forms of the Classical and Renaissance Era . And this Goethe said , In the Hall of the Classical Antiquities I became acutely aware that my eyes have not been trained to appreciate such things . For this reason I felt I should be wasting my time if I stayed there long (26 . Goethe 's realization on artistic...