Tag Archives: Florence

Only Connect

As I never cease to remind everyone, everything is connected to everything else. This was once quoted in the immortal Yes Minister: as I recall, Sir Humphrey asks Bernard ‘Who said that?’; Bernard: ‘The Cabinet Secretary?’; Sir H: ‘Almost right, … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Botany, Gardens, History, Museums and Galleries, Natural history | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Last Medici

A few days ago I attended a lecture by Professor Tim Blanning on the subject of the European context of Viscount Fitzwilliam’s stupendous bequest to the University of Cambridge in 1816. Bearing in mind Fitzwilliam’s continental travels and his long … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Biography, History, Museums and Galleries | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Object of the Month: January 2017

If ever I were to take up collecting as a serious pastime (as distinct from the random acquisition of books, plants and balls of wool), I think I would go for Italian maiolica pharmacy jars. (The sine qua non, of … Continue reading

Posted in Archaeology, Art, Botany, Cambridge, History, Museums and Galleries, Natural history, Venice | Tagged , , , , , , | 14 Comments