National Gallery of Art in D.C.

Take part in this new series of book readings, discussions, and conversations between artists, art-related book authors, and Gallery staff.

The next Saturday Bookcase takes place on Saturday, July 7, 2007.

Meet Judith Martin and Eric Denker, authors of "No Vulgar Hotel: The Desire and Pursuit of Venice," and Deborah Ziska, Chief of Press and Public Information for the National Gallery of Art's press office.

The book, "No Vulgar Hotel: The Desire and Pursuit of Venice," is billed as the definitive manual for the hopeless Venetophile. Its message focuses not on the stunning Byzantine architecture of this beautiful Italian city but on the unique personality of the Venetians themselves. It takes its title from Henry James' novel “The Wings of the Dove,” in which the heroine, Milly Theale, decides that while in Venice she will stay in “no vulgar hotel,” but in “some fine old rooms, wholly independent, for a series of months.” As Martin puts it, “Renting—not necessarily a palace, but no vulgar hotel—is also a requirement for savoring the living Venice” and truly experiencing the city. It’s the only way, she explains, to reciprocate invitations and to entertain the locals, which are important aspects of cultivating friends. (Even on vacation, she remains Miss Manners.)

About the Authors

Judith Martin is the author of the “Miss Manners” columns and has also written several best-selling books on etiquette and society as well as two novels. She lives in Washington, DC.

Eric Denker is an art historian and authority on James McNeil Whistler who curates exhibitions of prints and drawings in Washington, D.C. In addition, Dr. Denker is a senior lecturer at the National Gallery of Art and a contributor to guide books on Italy. He also serves in D.C. as adjunct professor at both Georgetown University and Cornell University. He frequently lectures in Italy for the Smithsonian Institute and for the Scuola Internazionale di Grafica in Venice, and around the Washington area on Venice, on Italian art, Dutch painting, French 19th-century art, and the history and techniques of printmaking.

Event Details

The conversation with the authors is hosted by Deborah Ziska, Gallery staff member, in the West Building Lecture Hall (WBLH) at 3:00pm followed by a book signing at 4:00pm. Meet the authors and purchase books after 2:30pm. The event is free and open to the public. Seating is available on a first-come, first-seated basis. Registration is not required.

The book “No Vulgar Hotel” is available in advance from the National Gallery of Art Shop by calling 202-842-6002 or 800-697-9350, or by emailing mailorder@nga.gov.

The National Gallery is located at Sixth Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and is open free of charge to the public. The Gallery is accessible by the metro subway via the Smithsonian station. For more information, visit the gallery's web site at www.nga.gov (click on Programs and Events), or inquire at the Art Information Desks at all entrances.