Beyond the Yalla Dog

I Tatti - the first major project of architect and garden designer Cecil Pinsent

I Tatti is now another of the many villas around Florence that are owned by American Universities – this one by Harvard.

The villa was initially made famous as the home of art Connoisseur Bernard Berenson – also known as  the Sage of Settignano – and his wife Mary.  Berenson made a big impact on the Florentine community, as an acknowledged art expert his pronouncement of authenticity would have a great impact on the sale price of the artefact under valuation!

As an American Jew Berenson was driven into hiding in 1939 – but he remained hidden in Tuscany throughout the war – whilst his sick wife Mary actually stayed in the Villa until her death in 1945.

Such was Berenson impact on Florence he was made an honorary citizen. His personal art collection and books and photographs are still held on display at I Tatti.

Flower filled parterres at I Tatti

It is sometimes said that the big difference the English community made to the classical restored Renaissance garden was to fill them with flowers – in our three days of garden visits so far I Tatti is the only one to give credence to this view and even then the colours are generally monochrome - as shown in the image attached- with the white flowers contrasting with the dark box hedge, itself contrasting against the white walls.

I Tatti was Cecil Pinsent’s first garden commission and is generally a  garden well loved by all who visit. Possibly it’s harshest critic was Harold Acton – who damned it with faint praise – but could we sniff a whiff of jealousy from the developer of La Pietra?