Kathleen Christian

Prof. Dr. Kathleen Christian is a full Professor of Early Modern Art History at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, specializing in the Renaissance reception of antiquity, antiquities collecting in Renaissance Rome, and global art history of the early modern era.

• Director of the Census of Antique Works of Art and Architecture Known in the Renaissance
• Active in research and teaching since 2020 at HU Berlin

Research Focus: Her work explores the intersection of art, antiquarianism, and political/cultural identity in Renaissance Italy, particularly through sculpture collections and their spatial-temporal contexts. She investigates how antique works were reinterpreted and repurposed in early modern Europe.

Publication Trends: Recent articles examine antiquarian documentation practices, global art networks, and the symbolic use of classical antiquities in Renaissance Rome. These works often bridge historiography, material culture studies, and cross-cultural exchange.

Scientific Awards:

• Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship for Experienced Researchers (2011-14)
• American Academy in Rome Cox Post-Doctoral Rome Prize (2016-17)
• Robert Lehman Fellowship, Villa I Tatti (2008-09)
• Getty Research Institute Non-Residential Fellowship (2004-05)
• Dumbarton Oaks Garden Program Fellowship (2003-04)

Labs/Teams: Director of the Census of Antique Works of Art and Architecture Known in the Renaissance project, contributing to systematic documentation of classical antiquity's influence on Renaissance art.