Whether it was the wealthy during the Grand Tour or artists wanting to make copies of masterpieces, questions as to the where, why, whom I will discuss.

The Grand Tour (17th c – 19th c) is the time when wealthy young men and aristocrats from northern Europe and England (literally in some cases) set sail from their homeland.

Having once arriving in the major cities of Europe (France and Italy predominantly), many immersed themselves in the diverse cultures and studied art, architecture, and antiquity. At that time, travelling was by carriage.

Deeply influenced by the culture of Europe, travelers returned home with a heightened sense of appreciation of the cultural sites, with all its splendor.
Just imagine visiting Versailles and its Baroque style room, the Hall of Mirrors.

The allure of Europe attracted many artists, thus becoming expats. Some became 'Americans in Paris', studying the artwork of the Old Masters at the Louvre, the most hallowed of world museums.

Marie Cassatt PA - USA to Paris
James McNeill Whistler – USA to UK
Joan Mitchell – NY, USA to Paris
Marc Chagall – Russia to Paris (1910)
Ellsworth Kelly – NY, USA to Paris (he lived there for 6 years)
Sam Francis – CA, USA to Paris and other countries (from 1950-1958)

American Frederick Church spent weeks in Athens, Greece in 1869. His painting "The Parthenon" (1871) was a commission.

English-born American artist Thomas Cole painted a series of five (5) paintings – "The Course of Empire" (1833-1836), with Greco-Roman themed architecture. He travelled to France and Italy.

I think one of the most fascinating works by an artist whose imagination went wild - Albrecht Durer's "Rhinoceros" woodcut from 1515.

He never actually saw a rhino. His 'interpretation' was based on a written description by an anonymous author, and a sketch of an Indian rhinoceros.

French post-impressionist artist Henri Rousseau visited botanical gardens and zoos to study fauna/flora and animals. "The Snake Charmer" (1907) is a wonderful portrayal of the jungle.