“From my experience, there’s a very different attitude towards careers here; generally speaking, your job doesn’t define you. Whenever I speak to Italians, they never ask that as their first question, it’s never ‘what do you do,’ or ‘what’s your job’? They’re more interested in the life that you live around your job, which is a great thing, it’s very commendable, so different from the way we are, so different.” Eleanor Walker
Recorded May 21, 2024 at Musikalmente Firenze
Join us this week for part two of my chat with Eleanor Walker, art historian and British expat living in Florence, Italy. During our conversation, Eleanor and I take a deep dive into the reality of living in Italy, and the surprising magnificence that often, and thankfully, accompanies it. We cover everything from how our cultures condition us, to how our adoptive culture changes us, and why we choose to go or stay. We also speak about the challenges of forging a career in Italy and transitory friendships, what defines us and brings us joy, Eleanor also tells us more about the current art and arts scene in Florence, and generously shares some of her favorite Florentine sites to visit and why she loves them so much. Finally, we reflect upon the crucial role of art and culture in today’s world, the real challenges posed by hyper tourism fueled by social media, and what it means to live a life that so many view and experience as a dream.
Eleanor Walker Biography
As a History of Art graduate from the University of Warwick and with a Masters from London’s prestigious Courtauld Institute of Art, Eleanor is a specialist in the art of the Italian Renaissance, in particular the influence of Netherlandish paintings in 15th century Florence. She has recently been most interested in the role of female artists, both in the Renaissance and in the 20th century – her other area of interest.
She has worked at Sotheby’s and the Portland Gallery in London, and teaches for Art History Abroad and she has leads cultural travel programmes for US museums and galleries. In 2021 she started working with Stanford in Florence Study Abroad Programme on the Art History and Italian Contemporary Culture classes, where during her first year she was assistant to Monsignor Timothy Verdon (Director of Florence’s Museum dell’ Opera del Duomo).
Alongside Stanford, she has been working with art collector and philanthropist Christian Levett towards the opening of the first major museum for female artists in Europe, the Female Artists of the Mougins Museum (FAMM) which opened in June 2024. She works as Collection Manager for the Levett Collection in Florence, whilst continuing to lead exclusive cultural tours and teach Art History.
Eleanor is also a passionate musician. As a flautist, saxophonist and singer, she regularly performs with ensembles in Florence and Tuscany.
Links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-walker-2a1233a8/
@viewfromthegallery