Early Mosel tourism

The discovery of the picturesque Mosel

Ansicht auf Dr. Bärbel Schulte im Stadtmuseum Simeonstift in Trier.

BY DR. BÄRBEL SCHULTE:

Tourism is an important economic factor for the Mosel region - and has been for around 200 years! The idea of ​​the romantic and wine-blissful Mosel valley also has its origins in the early 19th century, when English painters in particular set an artistic monument in the region.

For the sons of the European nobility, the so-called “Grand Tour” as a political, moral and cultural educational trip was an integral part of their education. With the economic boom of the bourgeoisie at the beginning of the 19th century, the offspring of the upper class were increasingly sent on tour. The early industrialized English pioneers here.

The topics of politics, culture and morality gradually moved into the background for young people in the age of Romanticism in favor of the intensive experience of natural beauty and the gathering of as many picturesque impressionsas possible. While it was initially the Rhine that attracted a particularly large number of travelers, from 1815/20 the Mosel was discovered as the “lovely daughter” of the Rhine.

Ansicht auf Clarkson Frederick Stanfields Titelblatt der Mappe Sketches on the Moselle, the Rhine & the Meuse, 1838

Since such trips had to be prepared and planned for a long time, the landscape painters were of particular importance: They acted as “influencers” and provided the images of landscapes and places that were considered particularly lovely, picturesque or sublime, as “must- sees ”in portfolios and travel guides.

Even before photography existed, the artists specified what the “right” look was and thus created image patterns that continue to have an effect today. William Turner or Clarkson Stanfield, but also Johann Anton Ramboux or Christoph Hawich, to name just the most famous, created entire series of graphic views, which served as portfolios not only for preparing and following up trips to the Mosel, but also as memories and souvenirs found very good sales (published by 1850 in total 26 different view folders!).

Ansicht auf ein Service mit Trier-Ansichten, Porzellanmanufaktur Trier, Anfang 19. Jahrhundert.

The increasing tourism fueled the domestic economy; the souvenir business was booming, and the Trier porcelain factory was able to benefit from it for a while. Precious cups, bowls and vases were made here, which were painted with views of Trier and the surrounding area, but above all the Trier antiquities. The City Museum Simeonstift in Trier offers a representative selection of this exclusive porcelain and particularly high-quality views of the Mosel.

 

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