Harriet Carr Schools

18th Century Revolution, Art & Travel Writing across Europe

The custom of taking a Grand Tour of Europe began in the 17th century but became popular in the 18th century and continued until the advent of rail travel in the 1840s. It began as an extended educational rite of passage, often taking place over two or more years, for young men, and sometimes women, of wealthy families.

Below are a series of learning resources referencing art, culture, society, politics, conflict, and the dangers of travel through Europe during a period of war in the late 18th century. This includes documents about the French Revolutionary Wars, travel writing, and Pompeii. They are created from documents in the Carr-Ellison collection held at Northumberland Archives and include suggested activities for a range of subjects including STEM, literacy, arts, and humanities.

Resources are available to download in Word and PDF format.

Documents

Britons to Arms

Anti-Napoleonic forces propaganda poster. 

Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5, Lifelong Learners

Subject areas: Military History, Anglo-french Wars, French Revolutionary Wars, Propaganda

Returns Of Men And Carts, 1797

Returns for Seaton Delaval.

Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners

Subject areas: Military History, French Revolutionary Wars

Letters from John Carr to Isabella & Ralph Carr about The French Revolutionary Wars, 1793

Letter referencing the execution of Louis XVI and the murder of Nicholas Jean Hugdon de Bassville.

Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners

Subject areas: French Revolutionary Wars, Military History

Letter From John Carr to Ralph Carr About Invasions Made by The French Army, 1792

Letter referencing invasions made by French Revolutionary forces and support for the forces in Italy.

Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners

Subject areas: French Revolutionary Wars, Military History, The Grand Tour

Letter from John Carr to Ralph Carr about Conflict with France and Influenza in Italy, 1793

Letter referencing prevalent influenza in Rome and Naples and conflict with France.

Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners

Subject areas: Medicine And Healthcare, French Revolutionary Wars, The Grand Tour

Letters from John and Harriet Carr about Travelling During The Grand Tour 1791

Letter referencing travel and accommodations during the Grand Tour.

Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners

Subject areas: The Grand Tour, Travel Writing, Arts & Culture, Women’s Education

Letter from John Carr to Ralph Carr about Travelling Through Europe, 1794

Letter referencing the perils of travelling during a period of war.

Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners

Subject areas: French Revolutionary Wars, The Grand Tour, Travel Writing

Letter from Harriet Carr about Travelling and Visiting Mount Vesuvius, 1792

Letter referencing travel to Mount Vesuvius plus paintings of Herculean or Pompeiian figures.

Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners

Subject areas: The Grand Tour, Travel Writing, Volcanoes, Pompeii, Arts & Culture

Copies Of Caravaggio’s “The Cardsharps” And Titian’s “La Bella” By Harriet Carr, About 1793

Copies of paintings found in the Uffizi Gallery produced by Harriet Carr.

Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners

Subject areas: Portraiture, Master Paintings, The Grand Tour, Arts & Culture

Painting of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire By Harriet Carr, 1792

Painting made of the Duchess of Devonshire while in Italy.

Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners

Subject areas: Portraiture, The Grand Tour

Paintings of Lady Elizabeth Monck by Harriet Carr, 1792

Two paintings showing Lady Elizabeth Monck as characters Una and Psyche.

Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners

Subject areas: Portraiture, The Grand Tour, Travel Writing, Neoclassicism 

Calling Card from Marianna Venturi, About 1793

Calling card from Marianna Venturi left for Harriet Carr.

Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners

Subject areas: The Grand Tour, Society, Italian Governance

Record of Money Received by John Carr from Ralph Carr While In Italy, 1791 – 1794

Record of money received by John Carr from his father during the Grand Tour.

Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners

Subject areas: Money, The Grand Tour

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