Joseph C. Forte

Joseph C. Forte is a Professor and the Esther Raushenbush Chair in Humanities at Sarah Lawrence College's Department of Art History, where he served for 44 years. He earned his BA from Brooklyn College and MA, MPhil, and PhD from Columbia University. His research focuses on Renaissance and Baroque art, 16th-century Italian drawings, 17th-century French painting, and the history of architecture. He pioneered the inclusion of architecture courses in the Art History curriculum and co-founded the interdisciplinary Architecture and Design Studies program. Beyond teaching, Forte held administrative roles as Group Chair and senior faculty for over 20 years, valued for his leadership in fostering collaborative discussions.

His teaching philosophy emphasizes transformative learning, as seen in courses like "The History of Architecture," which students describe as life-changing. Colleagues praise his encyclopedic knowledge and ability to connect diverse disciplines. Post-retirement, he plans to travel in Europe, study Dutch, and continue writing via his "Painting of the Week" newsletter, exploring intersections of art, philosophy, and technology.

• Awards: Esther Raushenbush Chair in Humanities
• Key Contributions: Architecture and Design Studies program, transformative pedagogy, division leadership