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‘Bearing Rome Across the Alps’: The Cork Architecture of Ancient Rome

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‘Bearing Rome Across the Alps’: The Cork Architecture of Ancient Rome
Sir John Soane's model room. Giovanni Altieri’s cork model of the Temple of Vesta is prominently on display on the center shelf. Gareth Gardner/Sir John Soane's Museum
Lorraine Ferrier
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In 18th- and 19th-century England, wealthy young men traveled to continental Europe to explore ancient sites, discover ancient relics and Renaissance art, and learn the languages and culture. Known as “Grand Tours,” these cultural explorations were rites of passage in which men became gentlemen.  
“Nothing can be compared to the new life that the discovery of another country provides for a thoughtful person. Although I am still the same I believe to have changed to the bones,” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote in the “Italian Journey” based on his time in Italy between 1786 and 1788. 
Lorraine Ferrier
Lorraine Ferrier
Author
Lorraine Ferrier writes about fine arts and craftsmanship for The Epoch Times. She focuses on artists and artisans, primarily in North America and Europe, who imbue their works with beauty and traditional values. She's especially interested in giving a voice to the rare and lesser-known arts and crafts, in the hope that we can preserve our traditional art heritage. She lives and writes in a London suburb, in England.
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