An American Girl in Italy: An Icon of Post-War Florence

Walking Tours of Florence

An American Girl in Italy (1951) by Ruth Orkin

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On a hot day in August 1951 the American photographer and photo-journalist, Ruth Orkin (1921-85), snapped her new friend, Ninalee Craig, as she ran the gauntlet of a group of men, who were standing idly outside the Caffe Gilli in Piazza della Repubblica.

Orkin hoped to sell the image to the Herald Tribune for 50 dollars, but the newspaper was not interested. In 1951, 50 dollars would have funded a two-week stay in one of the city's hotels. Ah, those were the days! 

The photograph of An American Girl in Italy has since become one of the most iconic images of post-war Florence.

Ninalee Craig died a few weeks ago on May 1st, aged 90.