No . 134 The Trusty Servant
Recent Events Wykeham Patrons ’ Trip to Florence and Umbria , 18-24 September 2022 This year ’ s Patrons ’ trip , postponed from 2020 due to the pandemic , followed in the footsteps of Kenneth Clark ( B , 1917-22 ), perhaps the most famous art historian of the twentieth century . Our journey started in Florence , where Clark ’ s career had begun in the 1920s under the tutelage of Bernard Berenson , and which featured prominently in his landmark television series Civilization ( 1969 ). We were very fortunate to be joined by Professor Robert Cumming and his wife Carolyn , editors of the correspondence between Clark and Berenson and expert guides to Clark ’ s time in Florence .
The group enjoyed guided visits to the great churches of Florence ( Santa Croce , Santa Maria Novella , San Lorenzo , the Baptistery ), and museums including the Uffizi and the spectacular new Museo dell ’ Opera del Duomo . There were also opportunities to see a number of private houses and gardens on the outskirts of Florence , and a visit to Villa I Tatti , where Clark lived and work with Berenson . A particular highlight were two private dinners in the Palazzo Gondi , with remarkable views over the rooftops of Florence , and the Palazzo Guicciardini , where we were shown a family archive with documents dating back to the twelfth century and one of the most beautiful library rooms in Italy .
After Florence , the group travelled to Perugia via Arezzo , Sansepolcro , and Monterchi , seeking out the works of Piero della Francesca ( c . 1415-92 ), the subject of one of Clark ’ s finest books . Our final visit was to Assisi , which Clark had first encountered as a pupil at Winchester , through the lectures of Monty Rendall ( Headmaster , 1911-24 ).
David Hunter and Mark Loveday in the Galleria Nazionale dell ’ Umbria , Perugia
The Group on the terrace of the Villa Gamberaia , Florence
OW Parliamentarians Dinner : Viscount Younger of Leckie ( F , 69-74 ) was an informative and attentive host on 11 th May as a party of eight Wykehamists from VIth Book were entertained to a tour of the Houses of Parliament followed by a private debate on the future of the House of Lords . The State Opening of Parliament had taken place the day before and so the visiting pupils received a unique insight into the arrangements as carpet and other props were cleared away . Dinner afterwards was attended by the Warden and Sub Warden and the following members of the two houses : Viscount Eccles ( I , 44-49 ), Lord Hannay of Chiswick ( B , 49-54 ), Lord Jay of Ewelme ( C , 59-64 ), Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale MP ( A , 73-77 ).
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