The Art of the City: Rome, Florence, Venice

George Simmel was an urban sociologist and philosopher writing at the turn of the C20th. This short book (96pp) collects 4 of his essays together for the first time in English.

The first 3 essays cover Rome, Florence and Venice, and look at questions of beauty (what makes Rome beautiful?), nature, spirit, past & present, and artifice. The final essay considers the impact of life in a metropolis on the psyche - intellect, individuality, money, emotion... - and why attitudes/behaviours can be so different from provincial areas.

Although I may not agree with everything he writes, I enjoyed reading this, found it quite accessible (for a philosophical text!) and would love to read it again if visiting Italian cities.

Thanks to #NetGalley and Pushkin Press for an ARC for review.

This book comprises of 4 essays by Simmel. 3 of which are on Italy's Rome, Florence and Venice. It talks about the architectural nature, landscape and the people of Rome, Florence and Venice as aesthetic creations. It is beautifully written and I loved the essay on Rome the most. I never thought to look at things the way Simmel did and it has brought a whole new perspective to the way I see things. I am going to make sure I read this again if i ever get to visit any of the beautiful cities mentioned in the book.

A short and unusual book, which you'll probably need to read more than once to get a grasp of it. Simmel deserves to be better known in English and the translator's long introduction is excellent. There's lots of insights here into Rome, Venice and (most briefly) Florence which anticipate recent writing on cities, but the final essay, 'The Metropolis and the Life of the Spirit' is probably the best of the lot. Worth a look.

Four short essays that I'd struggle to class as travel journals so much as philosophical journies.. While a little dated in some respects, Simmel is a very elegant writer and I found myself drawn by his words. Lovely snap shot of the early twentieth century.

This was an ARC in exchange for an honest review. With thanks to Netgalley and Pushkin Press.

The Art of the City: Rome, Florence, Venice was written by the great German thinker, Georg Simmel. Simmel was a sociologist who was a successful lecturer and writer in the late 1800s and the early 20th century. In this collection of essays he explores the impact of architecture on the humans who live there. This book should not be considered a travel book but rather the author’s perspective on the cities of Rome, Florence and Venice.

Simmel’s writing is beautiful, interesting and thought-provoking. Although it is only 96 pages long, this is a book that you will want to take you time with in order to see these three magnificent cities through his eyes.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

"The Art of the City: Rome, Florence, Venice" by Georg Simmel offers insightful essays that delve into the essence of these iconic Italian cities. Simmel, a pioneering thinker of the early 20th century, explores the interplay between architecture, culture, and human experience, presenting each city as a unique aesthetic creation. Through eloquent prose and profound observations, he invites readers to reconsider their perceptions of beauty and urban life. Whether discussing Rome's grandeur, Florence's artistic legacy, or Venice's enchanting landscape, Simmel's essays resonate with depth and intellectual curiosity. This collection is a captivating exploration of the artistic soul of these timeless cities.