Villa La Pietra stood as the cherished residence of the Acton Mitchell family for nearly a century, from 1903 to 1994. Since 2003, it has opened its doors to the public as a museum, faithfully preserving and showcasing the personal belongings and art collection of the Acton family. These treasures were generously donated by the estate’s last owner, Sir Harold Acton, to New York University, under the protection of the Italian Ministry of Culture.
Recent initiatives in digitization, cataloging, and scholarly research within the photograph archive and libraries have unearthed a wealth of new insights. By juxtaposing these findings with the pages of Harold Acton’s autobiography, Memoirs of An Aesthete (1948), researchers, in collaboration with students from New York University, have gained valuable insights into the family dynamics and formative years of Harold (1904-1994) and William Acton (1906-1945). Although the Villa may appear to bear few visible traces of their childhood, this comprehensive endeavor has unveiled a rich tapestry of experiences. We hope that viewers will come away from this digital exhibition with a deeper understanding of the enduring power of familial love and the indomitable human spirit in the face of daunting world changes.
Villa La Pietra stood as the cherished residence of the Acton Mitchell family for nearly a century, from 1903 to 1994. Since 2003, it has opened its doors to the public as a museum, faithfully preserving and showcasing the personal belongings and art collection of the Acton family. These treasures were generously donated by the estate’s last owner, Sir Harold Acton, to New York University, under the protection of the Italian Ministry of Culture.
Recent initiatives in digitization, cataloging, and scholarly research within the photograph archive and libraries have unearthed a wealth of new insights. By juxtaposing these findings with the pages of Harold Acton’s autobiography, Memoirs of An Aesthete (1948), researchers, in collaboration with students from New York University, have gained valuable insights into the family dynamics and formative years of Harold (1904-1994) and William Acton (1906-1945). Although the Villa may appear to bear few visible traces of their childhood, this comprehensive endeavor has unveiled a rich tapestry of experiences. We hope that viewers will come away from this digital exhibition with a deeper understanding of the enduring power of familial love and the indomitable human spirit in the face of daunting world changes.
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Villa La Pietra stood as the cherished residence of the Acton Mitchell family for nearly a century, from 1903 to 1994. Since 2003, it has opened its doors to the public as a museum, faithfully preserving and showcasing the personal belongings and art collection of the Acton family. These treasures were generously donated by the estate’s last owner, Sir Harold Acton, to New York University, under the protection of the Italian Ministry of Culture.
Recent initiatives in digitization, cataloging, and scholarly research within the photograph archive and libraries have unearthed a wealth of new insights. By juxtaposing these findings with the pages of Harold Acton’s autobiography, Memoirs of An Aesthete (1948), researchers, in collaboration with students from New York University, have gained valuable insights into the family dynamics and formative years of Harold (1904-1994) and William Acton (1906-1945). Although the Villa may appear to bear few visible traces of their childhood, this comprehensive endeavor has unveiled a rich tapestry of experiences. We hope that viewers will come away from this digital exhibition with a deeper understanding of the enduring power of familial love and the indomitable human spirit in the face of daunting world changes.
Villa La Pietra stood as the cherished residence of the Acton Mitchell family for nearly a century, from 1903 to 1994. Since 2003, it has opened its doors to the public as a museum, faithfully preserving and showcasing the personal belongings and art collection of the Acton family. These treasures were generously donated by the estate’s last owner, Sir Harold Acton, to New York University, under the protection of the Italian Ministry of Culture.
Recent initiatives in digitization, cataloging, and scholarly research within the photograph archive and libraries have unearthed a wealth of new insights. By juxtaposing these findings with the pages of Harold Acton’s autobiography, Memoirs of An Aesthete (1948), researchers, in collaboration with students from New York University, have gained valuable insights into the family dynamics and formative years of Harold (1904-1994) and William Acton (1906-1945). Although the Villa may appear to bear few visible traces of their childhood, this comprehensive endeavor has unveiled a rich tapestry of experiences. We hope that viewers will come away from this digital exhibition with a deeper understanding of the enduring power of familial love and the indomitable human spirit in the face of daunting world changes.