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Roman Mornings
The author writes in his introduction that evening is the magical moment to wander about Rome: "That is the moment to see the city of conflicting moods as it always has been and still is, hateful and holy, wicked and wise, pagan and papal, sometimes so beautiful that it is scarcely to be endured, and always quite inscrutable. That is the supreme moment to rhapsodize and pay homage, to make the final assault upon the hidden secret of Rome's eternal decay, and to be deliciously deceived… The early morning on the other hand is more to our purpose, for it is not at all romantic."
The early morning serves to light for Lees-Milne the eight Roman buildings–from the somber Pantheon first built by Marcus Agrippa in 27 B.C. to the Trevi fountain, whose waters were brought to Rome via aqueduct by the same Agrippa, but whose completion had to await the eighteenth century–that are in the author's opinion the chef architectural monuments of the city. All of them, he says, are powerful archetypes, and two among them, the Pantheon and the Tempietto, have individual features that are reflected in practically every town in Europe, the British Commonwealth, and America.
The early morning serves to light for Lees-Milne the eight Roman buildings–from the somber Pantheon first built by Marcus Agrippa in 27 B.C. to the Trevi fountain, whose waters were brought to Rome via aqueduct by the same Agrippa, but whose completion had to await the eighteenth century–that are in the author's opinion the chef architectural monuments of the city. All of them, he says, are powerful archetypes, and two among them, the Pantheon and the Tempietto, have individual features that are reflected in practically every town in Europe, the British Commonwealth, and America.
148 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1956
23 people want to read
About the author
James Lees-Milne
81 books20 followersJames Lees-Milne (1908-1997) was an English writer and expert on country houses.
Biography
He was a noted biographer and historian, and is also considered one of the twentieth century's great diarists. He came from a family of landed gentry and grew up in Worcestershire. He attended Lockers Park Prep School, Eton and Oxford University. In 1936 he was appointed secretary of the Country House Committee of the National Trust, and he held that position until 1950 apart from a period of military service from 1939-1941. He was instrumental in the first large scale transfer of country houses from private ownership to the Trust. After resigning his full-time position in 1950 he continued his connection with the National Trust as a part time architectural consultant.
He resided on the Badminton Estate in Gloucestershire for most of his later years while working in William Thomas Beckford's library at Lansdown Crescent at Bath. He was a friend of many of the most prominent British intellectual and social figures of his day, including Nancy Mitford, Harold Nicolson (about whom he wrote a two-volume biography), and Cyril Connolly. He married Alvilde Chaplin, formerly Bridges, a prominent gardening and landscape expert, in 1951.
From 1947 Lees-Milne published a series of architectural works aimed primarily at the general reader. He was also a diarist, and his diaries were published in many volumes and were well received, in later years attracting a cult following. His other works included several biographies and an autobiographical novel.
Biography
He was a noted biographer and historian, and is also considered one of the twentieth century's great diarists. He came from a family of landed gentry and grew up in Worcestershire. He attended Lockers Park Prep School, Eton and Oxford University. In 1936 he was appointed secretary of the Country House Committee of the National Trust, and he held that position until 1950 apart from a period of military service from 1939-1941. He was instrumental in the first large scale transfer of country houses from private ownership to the Trust. After resigning his full-time position in 1950 he continued his connection with the National Trust as a part time architectural consultant.
He resided on the Badminton Estate in Gloucestershire for most of his later years while working in William Thomas Beckford's library at Lansdown Crescent at Bath. He was a friend of many of the most prominent British intellectual and social figures of his day, including Nancy Mitford, Harold Nicolson (about whom he wrote a two-volume biography), and Cyril Connolly. He married Alvilde Chaplin, formerly Bridges, a prominent gardening and landscape expert, in 1951.
From 1947 Lees-Milne published a series of architectural works aimed primarily at the general reader. He was also a diarist, and his diaries were published in many volumes and were well received, in later years attracting a cult following. His other works included several biographies and an autobiographical novel.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 22, 2023
There is nothing more boring than an educated Englishman discussing architecture. It's a passion with that tribe, and man, are they ever dull at it.
November 5, 2014
First published in 1956 (& republished again in 1988), the author of "Roman Mornings" takes the reader on a tour of eight of Rome's architectural monuments: (beginning with) the Pantheon, Santa Costanza, Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Il Tempietto, Palazzo Pietro Massimo alle Colonne, Sant' Andrea al Quirinale, San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, and (ending with) the Trevi Fountain. These monuments were expressly selected as prime representatives of the architectural movements - from Ancient Roman to the Rococo - that have flowered in Rome.
Rich in detail (each section is well-introduced with historical background information leading up to the monument's construction & decoration), to say it is eloquently written would be an understatement. Beautifully composed (the late Mr. Lees-Milne was undoubtedly a wordsmith & a master of expression), the only fault with this brief but otherwise excellent book being the lack of adequate illustrations & photographs. Each era & building is given one or two (at most) photographs & a rudimentary architectural plan. It would provide more enjoyment for the reader had there been more photos to illustrate the graphic narrative - a regrettable omission perhaps but, thankfully for our times, we have the Internet to fill in the (visual) gaps.
Rich in detail (each section is well-introduced with historical background information leading up to the monument's construction & decoration), to say it is eloquently written would be an understatement. Beautifully composed (the late Mr. Lees-Milne was undoubtedly a wordsmith & a master of expression), the only fault with this brief but otherwise excellent book being the lack of adequate illustrations & photographs. Each era & building is given one or two (at most) photographs & a rudimentary architectural plan. It would provide more enjoyment for the reader had there been more photos to illustrate the graphic narrative - a regrettable omission perhaps but, thankfully for our times, we have the Internet to fill in the (visual) gaps.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews