Robert Wiedeman Barrett Browning, known as Pen Browning, (9 March 1849 – 8 July 1912) was an English painter. His career was moderately successful, but he is better known as the son and heir of the celebrated English poets, Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, of whose manuscripts and memorabilia he built up a substantial collection. He also bought and restored the Baroque palace Ca' Rezzonico in Venice.
In October 1887 Browning married an American heiress, Fannie Coddington (1853–1935). They bought and restored Ca' Rezzonico, one of the great palaces on the Grand Canal in Venice. With no need to earn an income from painting, Browning continued to paint for pleasure for the rest of his life until failing eyesight finally prevented it.
Browning and Fannie, who had no children, gradually drifted apart, although they never divorced. Their marriage was not helped by the rumoured relationship between Browning and a beautiful blonde Italian by the name of Ginevra, housekeeper at Ca' Rezzonico, who also modelled for Browning's paintings. Fannie eventually left him. They later made an attempt to revive their marriage, but it was short-lived. Browning sold Ca' Rezzonico in 1906 and thereafter divided his time between two other homes in Italy, the Torre all' Antella, near Florence, and Asolo, a location closely associated with his father, who set his poem "Pippa Passes" there and wrote his last book, "Asolando" while living there. Browning grew old contentedly, despite failing eyesight. In May 1912, a street in Asolo was named Via Browning in honour of his father's centenary, and Browning, who was unwell, left his bed to attend the celebration. It was his last public appearance.
On 8 July 1912, he died of a heart attack at the age of 63. He was given a splendid funeral and was buried in Asolo, but ten years later Fannie had his body moved to Florence.
In October 1887 Browning married an American heiress, Fannie Coddington (1853–1935). They bought and restored Ca' Rezzonico, one of the great palaces on the Grand Canal in Venice. With no need to earn an income from painting, Browning continued to paint for pleasure for the rest of his life until failing eyesight finally prevented it.
Browning and Fannie, who had no children, gradually drifted apart, although they never divorced. Their marriage was not helped by the rumoured relationship between Browning and a beautiful blonde Italian by the name of Ginevra, housekeeper at Ca' Rezzonico, who also modelled for Browning's paintings. Fannie eventually left him. They later made an attempt to revive their marriage, but it was short-lived. Browning sold Ca' Rezzonico in 1906 and thereafter divided his time between two other homes in Italy, the Torre all' Antella, near Florence, and Asolo, a location closely associated with his father, who set his poem "Pippa Passes" there and wrote his last book, "Asolando" while living there. Browning grew old contentedly, despite failing eyesight. In May 1912, a street in Asolo was named Via Browning in honour of his father's centenary, and Browning, who was unwell, left his bed to attend the celebration. It was his last public appearance.
On 8 July 1912, he died of a heart attack at the age of 63. He was given a splendid funeral and was buried in Asolo, but ten years later Fannie had his body moved to Florence.
Robert Wiedeman Barrett Browning, known as Pen Browning, (9 March 1849 – 8 July 1912) was an English painter. His career was moderately successful, but he is better known as the son and heir of the celebrated English poets, Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, of whose manuscripts and memorabilia he built up a substantial collection. He also bought and restored the Baroque palace Ca' Rezzonico in Venice.
In October 1887 Browning married an American heiress, Fannie Coddington (1853–1935). They bought and restored Ca' Rezzonico, one of the great palaces on the Grand Canal in Venice. With no need to earn an income from painting, Browning continued to paint for pleasure for the rest of his life until failing eyesight finally prevented it.
Browning and Fannie, who had no children, gradually drifted apart, although they never divorced. Their marriage was not helped by the rumoured relationship between Browning and a beautiful blonde Italian by the name of Ginevra, housekeeper at Ca' Rezzonico, who also modelled for Browning's paintings. Fannie eventually left him. They later made an attempt to revive their marriage, but it was short-lived. Browning sold Ca' Rezzonico in 1906 and thereafter divided his time between two other homes in Italy, the Torre all' Antella, near Florence, and Asolo, a location closely associated with his father, who set his poem "Pippa Passes" there and wrote his last book, "Asolando" while living there. Browning grew old contentedly, despite failing eyesight. In May 1912, a street in Asolo was named Via Browning in honour of his father's centenary, and Browning, who was unwell, left his bed to attend the celebration. It was his last public appearance.
On 8 July 1912, he died of a heart attack at the age of 63. He was given a splendid funeral and was buried in Asolo, but ten years later Fannie had his body moved to Florence.
In October 1887 Browning married an American heiress, Fannie Coddington (1853–1935). They bought and restored Ca' Rezzonico, one of the great palaces on the Grand Canal in Venice. With no need to earn an income from painting, Browning continued to paint for pleasure for the rest of his life until failing eyesight finally prevented it.
Browning and Fannie, who had no children, gradually drifted apart, although they never divorced. Their marriage was not helped by the rumoured relationship between Browning and a beautiful blonde Italian by the name of Ginevra, housekeeper at Ca' Rezzonico, who also modelled for Browning's paintings. Fannie eventually left him. They later made an attempt to revive their marriage, but it was short-lived. Browning sold Ca' Rezzonico in 1906 and thereafter divided his time between two other homes in Italy, the Torre all' Antella, near Florence, and Asolo, a location closely associated with his father, who set his poem "Pippa Passes" there and wrote his last book, "Asolando" while living there. Browning grew old contentedly, despite failing eyesight. In May 1912, a street in Asolo was named Via Browning in honour of his father's centenary, and Browning, who was unwell, left his bed to attend the celebration. It was his last public appearance.
On 8 July 1912, he died of a heart attack at the age of 63. He was given a splendid funeral and was buried in Asolo, but ten years later Fannie had his body moved to Florence.
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