John Ott

John Ott is a Professor of Art History at James Madison University’s School of Art, Design and Art History. His research focuses on 19th and 20th century American art, with specializations in African American art history, art markets, and pre-1960 U.S. art historiography.

• Education: Ph.D./M.A. Art History (UCLA), B.A. Art History & English Literature (Stanford)
• Awards: Ray Horowitz Visiting Professorship (Boston University, 2021–22), Lunder Institute Fellowship (2019–20), ACLS Grant (2018–19)

His work interrogates intersections of race, labor, and visual culture, such as analyzing Eadweard Muybridge’s motion studies through mobility frameworks, and exploring New Deal art’s racial narratives. Recent publications include Muybridge and Mobility (2022) and essays on African American art beyond the Harlem Renaissance.

Professional affiliations include the Association for Critical Race Art History and College Art Association. His upcoming projects include Mixed Media: The Visual Cultures of Racial Integration and studies on Maynard Dixon’s depictions of labor.