The subject matter of panorama paintings run the gamut from famous battle reenactments to significant religious moments in history; from impassioned local scenery to the most exotic locales, places the public had heard much about but had never been able to visit until the invention of this unique visual theater-in-the-round. Always central to the panorama's theme was humanity's fascination with the landscape around and beyond us. Thus, the panorama offered an opportunity to explore one's relationship to the world, real or imagined, in full sensory immersion.

 

Wocher's Panorama of Thun, Switzerland

Pictured above is the oldest panorama in existence, which remains on view to the public. A lovely skiing town beside the Thunersee, the landscape of Thun and its township was immortalized in canvas by Marquard Wocher in 1814. The detailed painting, somewhat smaller than later panoramas, showed the rooftops and intricate spires of the town, while leaving plenty of space for the dramatic mountains in the distance for which Switzerland is known. Many of the man-made landmarks depicted in 1814 still exist, such as the central clock tower in the town square. These paintings inspired a sense of wonderment at the accuracy of the panoramic painting itself, as well as a feeling of pride for people admiring the beauty of their own town.

 

Ludovico's Panorama of Rome

Engraving of the Roman Ruins

 

Panorama paintings often served as a form of pseudo-travel and offered escape into the exotic realms which so captured the imagination of 19th century citizens. Aside from the Roman Ruins as pictured above, subject matter included the Nile in Cairo, the jungle depths of the Congo, the explosion of Mount Vesuvius, and the well-groomed grounds of Versailles.

 

The Battle of Waterloo Panorama, 1912

 

Waterloo Battlefield Site, 1999

 

The Einsiedeln Crucifixion of Christ

Religious subject matter offered another popular theme in 19th century panoramas. These works were often accompanied by detailed guides so visitors could reconstruct the particulars of significant religious episodes and find relevant persons within the narrative matter of the painting. Later on, remaining panoramas often added an audio component which narrated the religious story depicted to awe-struck visitors. The above image shows The Panorama of the Crucifixion of Christ which exists in the pilgrimage town of Einsiedeln, Switzerland. This panorama proved to be so popular and significant in the modern era that, when the painting and rotunda burned entirely to the ground in 1960, the entire site was replaced with an exact replica and re-opened to the public a mere two years later.

 

 

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