Join us for the launch of Florence: Ordeal by Water by Katherine Kressman Taylor published by Manderley Press in 2024.
Join us for the launch of Florence: Ordeal by Water by Katherine Kressman Taylor, with authors Vanessa Nicolson and Sarah Winman. This new edition, to be published by Manderley Press in November 2024, revives Taylor's rediscovered diaries chronicling the devastating floods of the River Arno in 1966, with a new introduction by Vanessa Nicolson.
Katherine Kressman Taylor (1903 - 1996) was an American art historian and author based in Florence. Her poignant diaries, first published over 50 years ago, offer a rare insight into a critical moment in the city's history and served as the inspiration for Sarah Winman's bestselling novel Still Life, which interweaves stories from Florence and London.
Florence: Ordeal by Water chronicles the tireless efforts of elderly scholars and the international Angeli del Fango ('Angels of the Flood') who banded together to save Florence's priceless treasures from the devastating floods.
In her insightful introduction, Nicolson, who has roots in both Florence and the UK, enriches the narrative with her personal reflections. The cover is designed by Agnesbic, an Italian-British illustrator whose work is deeply influenced by mid-century design, travel and the warm hues of Tuscany, where she grew up.
This event promises a rich exploration of the stories behind the diaries, the cultural context of the floods and the artworks at risk, offering a deeper understanding of this remarkable chapter in Florence's history.
Get a National Art Pass and explore Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art
You'll see more art and your membership will help museums across the UK
National Art Pass offers available at Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art
Visitor information
Address
39a Canonbury Square, London, Greater London, N1 2AN
020 7704 9522
Opening times
Monday and Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11.00 – 18.00
Thursday: 11.00 – 20.00
Friday: 11.00 – 18.00
Saturday: 11.00 – 18.00
Sunday: 12.00 – 17.00
Last admission 30 minutes before closing time.
Exclusions and safety measures
Closed Easter Sunday. Check online for opening times over the Christmas period.
Visitor information
What else is on at Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art
Events nearby
The more you see, the more we do.
The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.