Eric R. Hupe

Eric R. Hupe is an academic specializing in Italian Renaissance art with expertise in the relationship between art, optical science, and theology in early modern Italy. He teaches courses in Western art history, Italian Renaissance art, Baroque and Rococo art, and Northern Renaissance art, demonstrating comprehensive knowledge of European art history from medieval through 18th century periods.

Education:

• Ph.D., University of Virginia
• M.A., Washington University in St. Louis
• B.A., Fordham University

Dr. Hupe's research focuses on challenging the traditional Florentine-centric narrative of Renaissance art history by highlighting Venice's significant contributions to perspective and optical theory. His scholarship examines how artists like Giovanni Bellini incorporated emerging optical knowledge into religious paintings, creating visual theologies that engaged with contemporary humanist and theological debates. He is particularly known for his current book project 'Venetian Perspectives: Art, Optics, and Theology in Renaissance Venice,' which uses pictorial light as a lens to explore these connections. Dr. Hupe is also a pioneer in applying digital technologies to art historical research and pedagogy, with expertise in Virtual Reality applications and photogrammetry.

Dr. Hupe's publications reveal a consistent scholarly trajectory examining light representation, optical phenomena, and theological symbolism in Renaissance art. His recent work has increasingly focused on digital humanities approaches, culminating in his 2023 publication on using VR to transform art history education. This represents a significant methodological innovation that bridges traditional art historical scholarship with emerging digital technologies.

As Principal Investigator for ZeuxisVR: Immersive Art History, Dr. Hupe leads a digital initiative creating virtual reality environments of art historical sites to advance both teaching and research. His summer 2021 photoscanning of Michelangelo's New Sacristy demonstrates his commitment to using cutting-edge technology to preserve and study important art historical sites, potentially creating valuable resources for future scholarship.