JOHANN CASPAR GOETHE E LA MEDIAZIONE CULTURALE TRA ITALIA E GERMANIA NELLA PRIMA METÀ DEL SETTECENTO. IL VIAGGIO PER L’ITALIA DEL 1740

Abstract

Johann Caspar Goethe’s Viaggio per l’Italia (1740) is a fascinating work. Today, it certainly deserves new assessments and interpretations engaging with the taste of a jurist and connoisseur of classical antiquity who was interested in Italy’s history of manners and arts. A committed Lutheran himself, he overtly criticized morals and Catholicism, thus providing valuable insights into early 18th century culture, which was still dominated by the models of Kavalierstour. Throughout the book, written in epistolary form, Johann Caspar Goethe does not mince words when he minces those who keep the people in a state of minority, especially in the Southern parts of the country. His travel report was rediscovered and edited by Arturo Farinelli in two volumes in 1932. It belonged to the books that Goethe’s father made use of to foster his son’s passion for Italy. The article sets out to retrace some steps of the journey focussing on issues of style and external intertextuality.