Iris Origo and Cecil Pinsent, Part I

For English and American travellers on the “Grand Tour” of Europe in the 19th century, Italy and most especially Florence, was the desirous destination of choice. The flower of the Renaissance, Florence offered not only intellectual pursuits in art and architecture, but also the promise of “la dolce far niente” (carefree idleness). Life was considerably less expensive in Florence for […]