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National Gallery Curators Present “The Grand Tour” at St. John’s College’s Mitchell Gallery
FOR RELEASE: February 6, 2010
CONTACT: Patricia Dempsey, 410-626-2539
Patricia.dempsey@sjca.edu
Eric Denker and David Gariff, curators of “From La Serenissima to the Eternal City: The Grand Tour in 18th-Century Venice and Rome,” will share their insights on this rich, vibrant exhibition on view at St. John’s Mitchell Gallery. In the 1700s aristocratic young men, and in later years women, primarily from England embarked on a Grand Tour. They trekked to Continental Europe to explore the roots of Western civilization and its cultural legacy and to be exposed to the refinement of high society. The splendor of ancient Rome and grand spectacle of Venice drew countless Grand Tourists and it is these journeys the artists in “The Grand Tour” exhibition celebrate. “The Grand Tour” is on view at the Mitchell Gallery at St. John’s College from March 14 to April 23. Denker and Gariff will lecture on “The Grand Tour” on March 24, at 7 p.m.
Both Denker and Gariff are senior lecturers at the National Gallery of Art. Denker obtained his doctorate in art history from the University of Virginia and is adjunct professor at Scuola Internazionale di Grafica, Venice, Italy and at Georgetown University. He has curated numerous shows and published widely, including “No Vulgar Hotel: The Desire and Pursuit of Venice,” which he co-authored with Judith Martin. Gariff is adjunct professor of art history at The Catholic University of America; he has lectured and written widely on topics related to the Italian Renaissance and modern art and film. His book, “The World’s Most Influential Painters and the Artists They Inspired,” explores the theme of artistic influence and inspiration in Western painting.
Upcoming Events for “The Grand Tour”
March 13 Venetian Carnival. An Evening of Guilty Pleasures Inspired by “The Grand Tour,” A Venetian Carnival, hosted by the Mitchell Gallery’s Next Generation, features a festive atmosphere, food and drink from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Great Hall. Attendees must be 21 or older. Tickets are $35 (gallery members) and $45 (non-members).
March 14 Opening Reception & Family Program. Art Educator Lucinda Edinberg will lead a tour of “The Grand Tour” exhibition followed by a hands-on workshop from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
March 18 Book Club. Join Mitchell Gallery Book Club Members for a tour of “The Grand Tour” followed by a discussion of “The Real Thing” by Henry James from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. For information and registration, contact Kathy Dulisse at 410-626-2530 or Kathy.Dulisse@sjca.edu.
March 24 Gallery Talk. Exhibit curators Eric Denker and David Gariff, both senior lecturers of adult programs at the National Gallery of Art, will give a lecture on “The Grand Tour” at 7 p.m.
April 14 Art Express. Join Art Educator Lucinda Edinberg for a lunchtime tour of “The Grand Tour” from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.
April 20 Seminar. Artist Ebby Malmgren will lead a seminar related to “The Grand Tour” at 7 p.m.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Call 410-626-2556.
This exhibition is made possible by the generous support of the Helena Foundation.