photostories

The presence of many British and American intellectuals, artists and entrepreneurs in Florence in the 19th century had a profound impact on the city's history and identity.

The “Madonnina,” a painting by Roberto Ferruzzi, was purchased by Vittorio Alinari, who was the true architect of the worldwide dissemination of the “photographic” version of this image, which has become iconic.

From the story of Dino Campana, an Italian poet whose life was characterised by restless travel and mental illness, to a series of photographs taken by the Alinari brothers at the San Salvi asylum in Florence.

Following the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, a fascination with all things Egyptian, or 'Egyptomania', swept through Europe, influencing art, fashion, cinema and literature. The photographers who flocked to Egypt helped to spread this fascination with the mysterious world of the pharaohs.

The archaic and wild island of the Mediterranean. A destination for a few pioneering and adventurous photographers, beloved by the Savoy family, and an exotic dream for the scion of the Alinari family.

In the late nineteenth century, according to some scientists' theory, one was born a brigand. One would die a brigand to make Italy.

In the second half of the nineteenth century, two Venetian "image makers" created Westerners' vision of the East and the romantic, stylized idea of the exotic.

The historic Florentine residence, owned by the Tuscany Region since 1976, currently houses the offices of Fondazione Alinari.

Villa Fabbricotti, located on the slopes of Montughi hill and a stone's throw from Florence's historic center, was Queen Victoria's residence in March 1894.