معرفی
Michele D. Marincola is the Sherman Fairchild Distinguished Professor of Conservation at New York University's Institute of Fine Arts (IFA). She holds a dual role as a Conservation Consultant at Villa La Pietra and has been on sabbatical during Fall 2024. Her academic career spans over three decades, combining conservation practice with rigorous research in medieval polychrome sculpture and conservation theory.
Marincola earned her M.A. and Conservation Certificate from the IFA in 1990. She worked at The Cloisters (1990–2002), specializing in medieval sculpture conservation before transitioning to academia. Her research focuses on the material histories of polychrome wood sculpture, particularly works by Tilman Riemenschneider, and explores broader methodological and ethical issues in conservation. Notable contributions include co-authoring The Conservation of Medieval Polychrome Wood Sculpture (2020) and editing Johannes Taubert’s Polychrome Sculpture (2015). She also investigates operator error in conservation practices, drawing parallels to fields like aviation safety.
Her teaching includes courses on conservation ethics, historical preservation, and technical art history. She co-organized symposia on topics like Leonardo da Vinci’s techniques and post-Florence Flood conservation legacies. Awards include grants from The Metropolitan Museum of Art and leadership roles in professional conservation associations.
- Key Research Areas: Medieval polychromy, conservation theory, error analysis, historical treatment evaluation
- Recent Projects: Book on conservation decision-making in unstable contexts, ongoing research on Riemenschneider’s techniques
- Collaborations: Co-authorship with Metropolitan Museum conservator Lucretia Kargère
