| Admin/Biog History | Nicolson spent almost the entire second half of 1937 in Europe, pursuing his ambition of a career in art history. Following the completion of his role as honorary attaché at the National Gallery he spent the remainder of July in London socialising with friends. From August to October he travelled first through France and then Italy studying works of art in public and private collections. In November he returned to Florence where he spent his mornings in the galleries and afternoons studying at the Villa I Tatti under Bernard Berenson. |
| Description | In which Nicolson drives through France with Jeremy Hutchinson studying works of art in public and private collections. Writes, in particular, about visiting locations painted by, or connected to, Cézanne and Van Gogh.
Separates from Hutchinson and travels alone studying paintings in the galleries, museums and churches of Italy. Writes about his research methods including collecting photographs; making comparisons with Berenson's lists; and his constant referencing to publications by Roberto Longhi. Throughout this period he socialises little, except whilst in Venice where he writes about - amongst others - Victor Cunard, Norah Lindsay, James Byam-Shaw, Robert Nichols, Tom Gough, and Kenneth and Jane Clark
From November onwards studies at the Villa I Tatti under Bernard Berenson; writes about the work he is doing; visitors to the Villa and the conversations held - in particular with Baron and Baroness Anrep; Alfred Nicholson, Muriel Gardiner; Mary Costelloe Smith (Mrs Berenson) and Nicky Mariano.
Also writes about his feelings for Laura Bonham Carter: falling briefly in love with her and later learning of her engagement. Also references the political situation in Europe, in particular his impression of Italy under Mussolini. Since Nicolson was in Europe for most of this diary, it includes very few references to his immediate family.
Of particular note:
July:
-21st: attends a sherry party at John Pope-Hennessy's house; visits Kenneth Clark's house in Portland Place; attends the 'Vic-Wells' (Royal Ballet) dinner dance at the Dorchester [A digital copy of this entry can be found below]
-22nd: dines with Francis Graham-Harrison and Isaiah Berlin at London Zoo; meets Ellis Waterhouse for the first time
-25th: Ethel Smyth visits Sissinghurst for lunch
-26th: plays tennis with Laura Bonham Carter and writes about his feelings for her
-29th: works his last day as an attaché at the National Gallery
-30th - 2nd August: spends the weekend at Tilshead Lodge with the Bonham Carter family and other guests including Jo Grimond
August
-4th: drives to Paris with Jeremy Hutchinson
-5th-7th: visits the Paris International Exposition; meets Édouard Vuillard; dines with Antoine and Elizabeth Bibesco; meets Henri Matisse; visits an exhibition of French painters from 1900-1925 at the Petit Palais and an exhibition of Peintres de la Réalité at the Rue Royale [A digital copy of these entries can be found below]
-8th: visits the Originies de la peinture modern in the Jeu de Paume
-9th-14th: drives from Paris to Aix en Provence with Jeremy Hutchinson stopping at, amongst other places, Auxuerre; Vezelay; Beaune; Tournus; Lyon; Orange; Avignon & Aix-en-Provence
-16th-21st: tours around Provence visiting Saint Rémy; Les Baux; Arles; Marseilles and various locations painted by, or connected to, Cézanne and Van Gogh. Socialises with Tommy Earp and Mary Hutchinson
-22nd: separates from Jeremy Hutchinson and departs for Italy
-23rd-31st: meets Gles Robertson and visits the galleries, churches and sights in Genoa, Parma, Modena and Mantua, in particular studying pictures at the National, Stuard, Estense, Reggia Galleries and the Palazzo del Te
September
-1st: visits Faenza and Forli and arrives in Florence
-2nd-12th: visits galleries and churches in Florence, in particular studying pictures in the Giotto exhibition at the Uffizi; lodges with the Mariani family [A digital copy of some of these entries can be found below]
-13th-14th: visits galleries and churches in Ferrara, in particular studying pictures in the Pinacoteca and Schifanoia Palace
-15th-30th: visits galleries and churches in Venice, in particular studying pictures at a Tintoretto exhibition and in the Academia; visits the Villa Malcontenta and Treviso; socialises with - amongst others - Victor Cunard; Norah Lindsay; James Byam-Shaw; Robert Nichols; Tom Gough and Kenneth and Jane Clark
October:
-1st-3rd: continues visiting galleries and churches in Venice; socialises with - amongst others - Victor Cunard, Salvador Dali
-4th-6th: visits galleries and churches in Padua
-6th-8th: visits galleries and churches in Vicenza
-9th-11th: visits the galleries and churches in Verona
-13th-15th: visits the galleries and churches in Bergamo
-16th: writes about news received via post concerning Laura Bonham Carter, Francis Graham-Harrison, David Wallace, Nigel Nicolson and John Pope-Hennessy
-16th: -26th: visits the galleries and churches in Milan and the surrounding area, in particular studying pictures in the Brera Pinacoteca. Meets Bianca Weiss
-27th-30th: visits the galleries and churches in Pavia, in particular studying the Duomo
November
-1st-5th: visits the galleries and churches in Bologna. Also includes a draft letter written by Nicolson to David Wallace, dated 5 November & filed in the diary pages for this date [see LBN/1/10/1]
-6th: returns to Florence; lodges with the Maraini family
-8th: begins work at the Villa I Tatti
-12th: meets Mrs Vavala for the first time
-21st: visits an exhibition of works by Giotto with Mrs Vavala & Alfred Nicholson
-25th: learns that Laura Bonham Carter is to be married to Jo Grimond
-26th: has tea with [Wolfgang] Braunfels
-29th: Bernard Berenson returns to I Tatti [A digital copy of this entry can be found below]
-30th: conversation with Bernard Berenson about the study of art: 'he spends his time telling me to read less and look more' [A digital copy of this entry can be found below]
December
-9th: meets Lanfranco Rasponi
-10th: lunches with Princess Helen of Greece
-25th-31st: skiing in San Vigilio di Marebbe with the Maraini's; Nina Otta-kar and Eleanora Thomasson
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| Image Caption | Journal entry for 21 July concerning socialising with John Pope-Hennessy and Kenneth Clark, 1937 (2pp) |
| Journal entry for 6-7 August concerning meeting Henri Matisse and visiting French exhibitions, 1937 (3pp) |
| Journal entry for 1-4 September concerning studying pictures in Florence, 1937 (2pp) |
| Journal entry for 29 November-2 December concerning I Tatti and conversations with Bernard Berenson (2pp) |