Number 45 – Summer 2009 NAlumniEWSLETTE R INST I T U TE OF FINE ART S NYU Appoints Patricia Rubin, Italian Renaissance Scholar, Contents As New Director of the Institute of Fine Arts New Director, Patricia Rubin . 1 From the Director ............ 3 students in key aspects of the Forum’s operation. Solow Scholars Fund . 4 Levy Foundation Gives $1 Million . 5 David McLaughlin, NYU’s Provost, has Conservation Center–New Look . 6 noted, “Dr. Rubin’s lifelong commitment to studying and teaching from original Varnedoe Professorship . 7 works of art corresponds with the IFA’s Dr. Thelma K. Thomas . 7 longtime leadership in its object-based Archives: Frederick Hartt .. 8 methodologies. Moreover, her previous management expertise, together with her Forms of Seeing ............ 11 experience as a successful fund raiser, will Artists at the Institute . 11 help the IFA to continue its leadership role in defining the future of art history, Cook Lecture ............. 12 archaeology, and conservation in today’s Exploring History’s White Spots . 13 New York University President John challenging climate.” Sankovitch Lecture . 14 Sexton and Provost David McLaughlin announced the appointment of Patricia Rubin, an internationally acclaimed Anne-Marie Sankovitch . 14 Lee Rubin as the new Judy and Michael scholar of Italian Renaissance art Book Party: Varnedoe . 15 Steinhardt Director of the Institute of and literature, began teaching at the IFA at CAA ................ 16 Fine Arts (IFA). Rubin’s appointment Courtauld Institute in 1979, and was becomes effective September 1, 2009. appointed deputy director and Head Danny’s Farewell Party . 17 of the Research Forum in 2004. In In Memoriam: Olga Raggio . 18 Rubin is currently professor and deputy 1997 she served as acting director Summer Stipends ........... 19 director of the Courtauld Institute of Art of the Harvard University Center in London and the head of its Research for Renaissance Studies in Florence Outside Fellowships . 21 Forum, one of the world’s most highly (Villa I Tatti). She has also been Completed Dissertations . 22 regarded advanced research programs visiting professor there and at the in art history. Her work there has been Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florence. Proposed Dissertations . 22 distinguished by an extensive, admired Faculty News .............. 23 record of programming and publication, Rubin is the author of numerous books Alumni News .............. 26 and by the involvement of graduate continued on page 6 Alumni Donors ............. 37 Published by the Alumni Association of the Institute of Fine Arts 1 Institute of Fine Arts Alumni Association Officers: Board of Directors: Committees: Finance Committee: President Term ending April 1, 2010 Valerie Hillings Suzanne Stratton-Pruitt Valerie Hillings Lisa Rotmil [email protected] [email protected] Suzanne Stratton-Pruitt Jason Rosenfeld Phyllis Tuchman Vice-President [email protected] Newsletter Gerrit L. Lansing Gertje Utley, Editor [email protected] Term ending April 1, 2011 Sabine Rewald Contributors: Gabriella Befani Canfield Treasurer [email protected] Patricia Berman Lisa Rotmil Marie Tanner Anuja Butali [email protected] [email protected] Marc Cincone Jean-Louis Cohen Kathleen Heins Secretary Term ending April 1, 2012 Keith Kelly Cora Michael Alicia Lubowski-Jahn Nita Lee Roberts [email protected] [email protected] Michele D. Marincola Hannelore Roemich Gertje Utley Julie Saul Ex-Officio [email protected] Julie Shean Past Presidents Joshua Shirkey Mary Tavener Holmes Phyllis Tuchman Ian Wardropper Connie Lowenthal History of the IFA Julie Shean, Chair Lisa Banner Helen Evans Lorraine Karafel Christopher Noey Rebecca Rushfield Phyllis Tuchman Alison West Grants Charles Little, Chair Sabine Rewald Miriam Basilio Walter S. Cook Lecture Beth Holman, Chair Yvonne Elet Susan Galassi Pepe Karmel Carol Krinsky Kathy Schwab Anita Moskowitz CAA Reunion Mary Tavener Holmes Nominating Committee Robert Lubar, Chair 2 From the Director Michele Marincola interest. I remain enormously grateful Architecture during World War II, was to Mariët whose keen attention to our co-hosted with the Canadian Centre for mission during her tenure resulted in a Architecture, Montréal, and Princeton rejuvenation, diversification and expansion University’s School of Architecture, and of our faculty. Our outstanding faculty is held at the Institute on March 7th and 8th. a tremendous strength that underlies our The World War II era, often overlooked standing as a top educational institution. as a period of architectural significance, Adding to this strength, in the fall we was addressed within the context of both will welcome, in addition to Pat Rubin, building the “war machine” and the recently appointed Assistant Professor process of modernization in which the Hsueh-man Shen, who specializes in period ultimately played an important role. Medieval China. We also look forward Participating scholars came from around to the arrival of Professors Alex Potts and the world and the conference, which was David Joselit who have been appointed as hailed as visionary and over-due in its Varnedoe Visiting Professors during the undertaking of this neglected period in 2009 – 2010 academic year. modern architectural history, was well attended and enthusiastically received by This past year my faculty colleagues have all. You can learn more in the article in With the happy occasion just marked been indispensable in identifying and this newsletter by Jean-Louis Cohen, the of a newly graduated class of 15 PhDs, recruiting Pat Rubin as the next Director conference’s scholarly director. 33 MAs, and 4 MAs with Advanced of the Institute. One of my primary Certificates of Conservation, I would like charges as Interim Director was aiding in Another extraordinary moment came last to express to you what a tremendous honor the successful conclusion of the Director December when the Institute was the it has been to serve as the IFA’s Interim search, which was led by the Faculty recipient of a remarkable gift from one Director during the 2008 – 2009 academic Search Committee. I would like to thank of our most generous donors, Sheldon year. It has been a momentous year, one my colleagues on the Committee, and Solow, to establish the Sheldon Solow that bridges the superb legacy of Mariët especially Tom Crow as Chair, for their Scholars Fund at the IFA. Over the next Westermann’s six-year tenure and the start tireless efforts throughout this process. It is two years this fund will provide $4 million of Patricia Rubin’s leadership as the next a testament to their superb work that our in support of student fellowships at the Judy and Michael Steinhardt Director entire community is excited about Pat’s Institute. For a fuller description of this of the Institute of Fine Arts. I personally arrival on September 1st. As our cover extraordinary gift, please read Kathy look forward to welcoming Pat to the article attests, she brings to us an incredible Heins’s article in this newsletter. We are all Institute in the fall. It has also been a year wealth of experience and expertise, both enormously grateful to Sheldon, not only in which economic realities, harsher than academic and administrative. American for the depth of his giving, but also for expected, have begun to bear down on the by birth, Pat looks forward to returning to his ardent belief in the importance of our University and our nation’s entire academic this side of “the pond” to lead the Institute, mission as educators and in the promise of community. as well as teaching and mentoring our our deserving students. students. You will have the opportunity to In spite of today’s economic challenges, meet her at a special welcome reception for Sheldon Solow’s generosity could not it is important that we as a community alumni this fall, and I hope that many of have happened at a better moment, remember our deep commitment to you will be able to join us. coming as it did at a dark point in the the Institute’s tripartite mission: to train economic turmoil of late 2008. We are the next generation of art historians, Last year was also busy and vibrant with very fortunate that the IFA, now in its archaeologists and conservators; advance an array of impressive public programs 76th year, is a robust institution with research and scholarship; and serve as here at the Institute. Among them, an many strengths, including committed a premier public forum in our fields of outstanding conference, Front to Rear: and thoughtful donors like Sheldon 3 The Sheldon H. Solow Scholars Fund for IFA Fellowships By Kathleen M. Heins, Director of Development and Public Affairs In December 2008, the IFA was enormously pleased to receive a gift of $4 million in support of tuition fellowships from real estate developer, philanthropist, and IFA Life Trustee, Sheldon H. Solow. The gift, which created the Sheldon Solow Scholars Fund, was made in response to the economic crisis and was put to immediate Sheldon Solow Scholars Maryl Gensheimer and Joseph Ackley with IFA Life Trustee Sheldon Solow. Photo: Nita Roberts use. Fifty-four IFA students were named Solow Scholars this spring. moment. With these funds, the IFA will Mr. Solow has been an extraordinary be able to provide more financial support benefactor. He has endowed two We are very proud of our students who to students than would be otherwise professorships, the Sheldon H. Solow count among the strongest candidates possible in these difficult times.” Professor in the History of Architecture in their fields in the country. Offering and the Rosalie Solow Professor of healthy fellowship packages is key to In addition to a highly successful career Modern Art. He also donated to the attracting and retaining our top student as a real estate developer, Mr. Solow Institute two floors at 3 East 78th to talent in today’s highly competitive has been an active patron of the arts become part of the eagerly anticipated academic environment.