Ivan Drpić

Ivan Drpić is an Associate Professor in the Department of the History of Art at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Arts and Sciences. A specialist in Byzantine and medieval art, he focuses on the material culture of Southeastern Europe, particularly the interplay between text, image, and subjectivity from the 11th to 15th centuries.

Education:

• Ph.D., Harvard University, 2011
• M.A., Harvard University, 2005
• B.A., University of Belgrade, 2002

His research centers on medieval aesthetics, theories of the image, the agency of art objects, and cultural interactions between Byzantium and the Slavic world. He explores how inscriptions, particularly epigrams, function as integral components of artworks, shaping devotional practices and personal identity. His work bridges art history, literary studies, and religious studies.

Drpić's recent publications focus on the enkolpion, verse inscriptions, and imperial patronage, revealing deep connections between materiality, selfhood, and piety in Byzantine culture. His scholarship demonstrates a consistent trend toward interdisciplinary analysis of small-scale devotional objects and textual practices.

Scientific Awards:

• Runciman Prize (2017)
• David E. Finley Fellowship, National Gallery of Art
• Fellowship, Dumbarton Oaks Research Library
• NEH Fellowship

He has held research fellowships at major institutions, contributing to significant scholarly projects. While no specific grants are listed, his affiliations with Dumbarton Oaks, NEH, and the National Gallery of Art indicate sustained external funding. He advises graduate students and is an active member of the core faculty in the History of Art department.

Drpić previously taught at the University of Washington (2011–2017) before joining Penn. He is not part of any named lab or research center, but his independent research projects, such as The Enkolpion: Object and Self in Medieval Byzantium, reflect deep scholarly inquiry into the material and spiritual dimensions of medieval art.