About the Work
Ludwig Metz probably took this sketchbook with its light blue pages on a journey to Naples, Capri and Sicily from July to October 1852. With a pencil, occasionally washed over with pen or brush, he captured landscapes, buildings but also sculptures and mosaics: in Naples, for example, an ancient Roman equestrian statue now in the National Archaeological Museum, artworks from the Real Museo Borbonico, now the Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte, or frescoes by Giotto, ancient reliefs in Amalfi or the mosaics and stone sarcophagi in the cathedrals of Palermo and Monreale. He was also interested in the landscape, especially the Faraglioni rock formations in the Gulf of Naples off Capri. In between, Ludwig Metz noted observations in his sketchbook, also lists and calculations, often accompanied by quick architectural sketches, sections and floor plans.
For a full sketchbook description, please see “Research”.