Maria Magdalena Cerdà Garriga

Maria Magdalena Cerdà Garriga is a Professor of Labor Historical Sciences and Theory of the Arts at the University of the Balearic Islands, affiliated with the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters and the Medieval Studies (GRESMED) research group. She has been teaching since 2011 and holds a European PhD in Art History (2016) with her thesis on La imatgeria medieval mallorquina (1229-1520).

Her research focuses on medieval Mallorcan sculpture, particularly imaginería (devotional wooden sculpture), the community of image-makers and carpenters during the Late Middle Ages, and cultural heritage management. She has conducted research stays at institutions like the Centre d'études medievales de Montpellier and Centre d'études supérieures de civilisation médiévale (Poitiers). Her participation in the R&D project The Medieval House. Materials for its Study in Mallorca (HAR2016-77032-P, 2017-2020) highlights her work on domestic architecture and material culture.

Recent publications emphasize Gothic sculpture, miracles as activation methods for images (2024), and artistic apprenticeship systems in Mallorca. She co-edits the journal Mayurqa and contributes to interdisciplinary projects like La casa medieval en Mallorca y el Mediterráneo (2021). Her work bridges art history with social history, focusing on artisan networks and religious iconography.

Key subfields from her 15 most recent articles include Gothic devotional art, sculptural production techniques, medieval gender studies, domestic religious practices, Marian iconography, and Mediterranean cultural exchange. She frequently collaborates with scholars like Antònia Juan-Vicens and Tina Sabater.

Teaching subjects include Art and Architecture in the Crown of Aragon (1150-1530), Introduction to Art History I: Ancient and Medieval, and Master's thesis supervision. Her educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Art History (2004) and a Master’s in Cultural Heritage: Research and Management (2012), both from the University of the Balearic Islands.