James Elkins

James Elkins is the E. C. Chadbourne Professor of Art History, Theory, and Criticism at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), where he has held this position since 1989. He earned his BA from Cornell University (1977), and MFA, MA, and PhD (with honors) from the University of Chicago (1983 and 1989). His research spans interdisciplinary studies in visual culture, art criticism, and the intersections of art history with science, technology, and pedagogy.

• Affiliations: SAIC Faculty, Art History Department
• Education: BA (Cornell), MFA/MA/PhD (University of Chicago)

Elkins' scholarly work explores the boundaries of representation, the role of images in academic writing, and experimental approaches to art history. Notable books include Our Beautiful, Dry, and Distant Texts, What Painting Is, and Visual Studies: A Skeptical Introduction. He also engages in unconventional research, such as microscopy and piano music analysis, reflecting his interest in bridging art and science.

His articles address diverse topics from subsea engineering to microbial ecology, showcasing interdisciplinary collaboration. Elkins actively contributes to pedagogical debates in art education and has advised numerous students in critical theory and visual studies.