Call Number:

Ms. Codex 1919

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

1 volume

Preferred Citation:

Grace C. Nye diary, 1870, Ms. Codex 1919, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1870 (inclusive)

Creator:

Nye, Grace C. (Grace Cornelia)

Form:

Manuscripts, American -- 19th century, Quotations, Sketches, Diaries, and Codices (bound manuscripts)

Abstract:

Travel diary of Grace C. Nye written during her tour of Italy and Germany from January to May 1870.

Grace C. Nye was one of seven children born to Bartlett Nye and Laura Maria Moore of Champlain, New York on November 21, 1851. Barlett Nye was previously married to Matilda Moore who was the sister of Laura Moore. Bartlett had one child with Matilda prior to her death in 1841. Barlett died in 1857 when Grace was six years old. In 1870 Grace traveled to Europe with her mother Laura Moore Nye and her elder sister Ellen Rose, known as Nell. Grace Cornelia died March 6, 1871, at the age of nineteen.

A travel diary written by Nye during her tour of Italy and Germany from January to May in 1870. Nye traveled with her mother Laura Moore Nye and her elder sister Ellen Rose who she refers to as Nell or Nellie. The majority of the diary was written while she was in Italy where the Nye trio visited Rome, the Vatican, Florence, Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, and Venice. There are brief entries of Nye's time in Munich, Germany and a visit to Vienna. Much of the diary references Rome. Nye provided detailed descriptions of major sights in each city regarding artists' studios, architecture, basilicas, catacombs, churches, gardens, museums, paintings, Roman ruins, and sculpture. She met artists in their studios such as American sculptor Franklin Simmons, Italian copyist Giuseppe Mazzolini, American poet and portrait painter Thomas Buchanan Read, and cameo artist Margaret Foley. Nye made observations of her surroundings and events, wrote the historical context of works of art, and noted the people they visited. Nye mentioned she was taking lessons in German, Italian, and painting. The diary is written in a German day calendar with ruled pages for each day. Nye's entries are written in ink and pencil and are not in chronological order. Some quotations are written on the title leaf with one in German. Written on the first leaf: Grace C. Nye, Munich, May 9, 1870. A few portrait sketches appear throughout the diary. A pressed botanical leaf is laid in the diary. A portion of the diary is blank.