Led by current parent Cat Manson, our art-loving Downe House parents were treated to a tailor-made trip to Florence in January with Art History Abroad.

Cat was joined by art historian Ed Aspinall to share their deep knowledge of Italian Renaissance art, the history of the Florentine Republic and the Medici’s patronage in Florence.

Highlights included Michelangelo’s David, a visit to the monastery of San Marco and Fra Angelico’s Annunciation, a midnight rendition of Robert Browning’s My Last Duchess outside the Browning’s Florentine home Casa Guidi, climbing Brunelleschi's dome of the Duomo to watch the sun set over the terracotta roofs of the city, watching Downe House brother, Max Fane, performing at his jazz bar and hotel House of Nine, and visiting the newly reopened Brancacci Chapel where the group were some of the first to see the newly restored frescos by Masaccio, Masolino and Filippino Lippi.  

There was also time to sample the other delights of Florence, including joining a paper-making workshop at Riccardo Luci’s family business and a nightcap at the home of the Negroni, Caffè Giacosa.

Look out for future trips or get in touch if there’s somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit.

Art History Abroad