David Ehrenpreis

Dr. David Ehrenpreis is a Professor of Art History and Director of the Institute for Visual Studies (now Institute for Creative Inquiry) at James Madison University. He holds academic roles as Art History Area Coordinator and Coordinator of the Art History Minor. His research focuses on 19th-20th century European art, German art, and art nationalism, with a particular emphasis on visual studies. He earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in Art History from Boston University and B.A. in Foreign Languages from Hamilton College.

Research Interests:

• 19th-20th century European art and architecture
• German art and nationalism
• Visual culture and urban history
• Methodologies in art historiography

Key Contributions:

• Authored Picturing Harrisonburg: Visions of a Shenandoah Valley City since 1828 (2017), awarded Gold for Regional Book of the Year
• Edited works on Max Beckmann and curated exhibitions like “Picturing Equality: Xu Bing’s New Ways of Seeing”
• Directed the Institute for Visual Studies, fostering interdisciplinary research

Awards & Grants:

• Harvard University Certificate of Distinction in Teaching (1999)
• DAAD, Whiting Foundation, and JMU research grants

Service & Leadership:

• Chair of Harrisonburg Planning Commission
• Committee roles at JMU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Contributions to Urban Renewal studies and community history projects