Throughout this inaugural year, the Rienzi and Bayou Bend book club has covered an array of topics inspired by the collections of the two house museums. July's book takes us back to 18th-century France, for a peek into the life of one of Rienzi's most famous residents. "Madame du Barry: The Wages of Beauty" chronicles the life of Louis XV’s last maîtress en titre . . .

On June 19, we will hold a salon at the Maison Dora Maar. Susan Opton, Jane MacAvock, and Lisa Williams, the current artists in residence, will talk about their work, followed by informal discussions with drinks and hors d'oeuvres in the garden. Everyone is welcome. . . .

The first character we introduce you to must be Edward Cecil Guinness, the first Earl of Iveagh and the third son of Arthur Guinness. (Arthur’s grandfather founded the famous Guinness brewery.) Since Edward Cecil wasn’t . . .

You may not have seen the Kenwood House exhibition at the MFAH yet, but you will be surprised to find out who already has . . .

“You’ll never regret this,” the seller told him. That’s what art collector George Abrams remembers from his first Rembrandt purchase. Now, five decades later, selections from the Maida and George Abrams Collection comprise the exhibition "Drawings by Rembrandt, His Students, and Circle." This show marks . . .