The Construction of the Image of Italy in the 19th Century on the Example of Travelogues Published in the Slovak Period Press

Abstract

The paper analyses how Italy is depicted in selected 19th-century Slovak travelogues. We chose this period because the travelogue genre was established in Slovak literature in the 19th century. Second, the travel reports to Italy that appeared in the Slovak context in the 17th century had a different nature since the Counter-Reformation and the condemnation of Protestants to the Spanish galleys in Naples conditioned the journeys. These accounts focused more on personal suffering than the peculiarities of the countries. 19th-century travel writings had a different character. Magazinestried to meet readers’ interests by publishing documentary and factual literature. We chose the travelogues of two important cultural figures who visited Italy during the same period and had the opportunity to perceive the same cultural, social, and other circumstances. The emphasis is on the travellers ́ interests, the construction of their image and how nature, climate, and other characteristic country features are reflected in their landscape image. In addition to a re-examination of the text-creation mechanisms and the different rendering methods of the same aspect, the description of natural, cultural and social realia, the paper reveals their relationship to the depicted country and how their interest was influenced by their theological education and involvement in the Church. The paper outlines the genre form widespread in 19th-century Slovak journalism considering the then atmosphere and cultural events. After studying subject-related period documents and scientific works, we used the interpretive method, which pointed outways of depicting the visited country and its specifics. This is reflected in how the issue is treated: from a generalising view of the period, the significance of the period press, and the place of the authors to an interpretation of their works. In the conclusion, we seek to generalise the existing parallels and differences in the modes of imagery.Keywords:19th century, Slovak period press, travel writing, Italy, Venice, religious symbolism