Hi, I’m Gianluca.
I studied cultural anthropology, and I’ve always been fascinated by the different ways people live, move, and experience a place.
Rome is not only my city – it’s the environment I love observing, understanding, and sharing through these small stories.
Together with my wife Connie, we host travellers in our small hotel near the Vatican, where we enjoy meeting people from all over the world and exchanging perspectives – just as I do here in the blog.
If you ever feel like saying hello while exploring Rome, you’ll find us on our terrace as well, where every morning we serve breakfast with a view.
Gianluca
Few writers have captured the spirit of 19th-century Europe as vividly as Henry James. Known for his deep psychological insights and elegant prose, James was drawn to Italy—and particularly to Rome—where he found inspiration and a backdrop for several of his works. Through his novels, James presents the Eternal City as a place of beauty, complexity, and historical depth, capturing the fascination that Rome held for many artists of his time.
Henry James: A Life Shaped by Travel
Henry James was born in New York City in 1843 but spent much of his life traveling through Europe. He developed an early interest in Italy and made multiple trips there, often spending extended periods in Florence, Venice, and Rome. James was captivated by Italy’s rich culture, history, and art, which provided endless material for his writing.
Rome, with its layers of history and blend of ancient and modern, was especially compelling for James. His relationship with the city went beyond mere admiration; Rome served as a reflective landscape for exploring themes of identity, culture, and morality in his novels. He found inspiration in Rome’s architecture, its ruins, and its people, and used the city as a stage to develop complex character dynamics and dramatic moments.
Rome in Henry James’s Works
James often wove Rome into his novels, using the city’s aura and monuments to enhance the psychological depth of his characters. One of his most famous works, “Daisy Miller” (1878), presents Rome as a mysterious and slightly ominous city, contrasting the innocence of Daisy with the complex social codes of European society. In this novella, the Colosseum serves as a symbol of grandeur and danger, as Daisy visits it at night—a daring act that reflects her independent spirit but also foreshadows her tragic end.
Another significant work, “The Portrait of a Lady” (1881), tells the story of Isabel Archer, an American heiress who travels to Europe and is profoundly changed by her experiences there. In this novel, Rome represents both beauty and entrapment, with James describing Isabel’s perception of the city with awe and reverence:
“The view from the parapet was immense, and it took in many objects. They were very beautiful, and Isabel looked at them long; but she neither knew nor cared what they were… They were simply Rome, and Rome was the great fact.”
Through Isabel’s journey, James paints a picture of Rome as a city that offers both enrichment and challenges, a place where beauty and complexity are inextricably intertwined.
James’s Favorite Roman Landmarks
For James, Rome was a city of landmarks that spoke to the soul. He wrote of several places that continue to be celebrated today:
- The Colosseum: As seen in Daisy Miller, the Colosseum serves as a backdrop for some of James’s most intense moments, reflecting both the splendor and darker side of Roman history.
- The Pantheon: James was moved by the Pantheon’s grandeur and often referenced it as a symbol of Rome’s enduring spirit, admiring the way ancient and modern coexisted within its walls.
- The Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna: Like many visitors to Rome, James spent time in the Piazza di Spagna area, where the Spanish Steps connect the lower part of the city to the elegance of the Trinità dei Monti. The area, filled with artists and writers, was a hub of creative inspiration, likely influencing James’s observations on social gatherings and the mix of cultures he found so fascinating.
Curiosities and Anecdotes about James in Rome
Henry James’s relationship with Rome was both personal and professional. He was friends with John Singer Sargent, the famous American painter, with whom he shared a deep appreciation for Italy. James would often walk the city’s streets with other expatriate artists and intellectuals, discussing the influence of Roman history on their work.
One of James’s most intriguing habits was his practice of visiting Rome’s churches and palazzi, where he would observe the interaction between tourists and locals, taking note of the subtle cultural exchanges. These observations fueled his narratives, as James was fascinated by the American experience in Europe, particularly the blend of curiosity and naivety with which Americans approached the grandeur of cities like Rome.
Experience Henry James’s Rome from QuodLibet Bed and Breakfast
For guests at QuodLibet Bed and Breakfast, a journey through Henry James’s Rome can be a unique way to experience the city. From the Colosseum to the Pantheon and Piazza di Spagna, each of these locations offers a glimpse into the Rome that inspired one of literature’s greatest observers. Walking in James’s footsteps, you can feel the charm and complexity that captured his imagination and sense the lasting impact Rome left on his work.
Whether you’re a fan of Henry James or simply curious about exploring Rome’s literary past, QuodLibet’s central location offers an ideal starting point for discovering the timeless allure of the Eternal City.
