D’Ancona did critical research on iconography of animal, floral and vegetable symbolism on art from the Late Middle Ages period to the Renaissance.
[3] D’Ancona started her college studies at University of Naples (Università di Napoli), later transferring to University of Florence (Università di Firenze) where she graduated in 1941 with a degree in art history.
[3] In 1944, D’Ancona fled to Switzerland with her brothers due to the uprising of fascism and racial laws.
[3] She took various odd jobs upon arrival, eventually becoming the assistant to Richard Offner of New York University Institute of Fine Arts.
[3] She eventually registered as a PhD student at New York University Institute of Fine Arts.