“My plan was to stay in Italy until I was due to go back to work on the 1st of November, because that was when the furlough scheme was due to end. So, I thought, ok, fine, I’m going to stay. I don’t need to be back in London, I’m going to stay here. I’ll take some Italian classes, visit some museums, live a life of leisure in Italy because why not?” Eleanor Walker
In the summer of 2020, in the midst of the global pandemic, Eleanor Walker, an art historian originally from the UK, took a leap into the unknown and came to Italy hoping to find herself and joy again.
Through a series of fortuitous events and encounters, and a lot of personal initiative, resourcefulness, and ingenuity, Eleanor transformed what should have been a brief sojourn in Italy into the life she has made for herself in Florence.
In this first part of my chat with Eleanor, we speak about her journey, her work in the arts and as a performer, anhow she managed to find and forge community during an incredibly dark and isolating time for so many of us.
We also touch upon Brexit, the effect it had on Eleanor and her choices, as well as the trials and rewards of working in the arts today and living a life divided between two places that you love deeply.
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