Robert A. Maxwell

Robert A. Maxwell is the Sherman Fairchild Associate Professor of Fine Arts at New York University’s Institute of Fine Arts. He holds a PhD in History of Art from Yale University and an AB in Medieval Studies from Princeton University. His research focuses on medieval art’s capacity to communicate meaning, its social values, and its historiographical challenges. Key interests include sculpture, architecture, illuminated manuscripts, and theories of image and history. He has authored books like The Art of Medieval Urbanism and Art Inventing History, and co-edited volumes on Romanesque sculpture and medieval historiography.

Maxwell’s work integrates technical analysis, such as nuclear science in studying sculptures, with theoretical frameworks addressing medieval art’s alterity and modern reinterpretations. Collaborative projects with institutions like the Glencairn Museum and European colleagues highlight his interdisciplinary approach. His teaching spans courses like ‘Dreams and Visions in Medieval Art’ and ‘Medieval Urbanism: Art, History, Theory.’

Notable research projects include investigating medieval art’s role in epistemological debates and the interplay between images and historical narratives. He has held visiting professorships at Johns Hopkins University and the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris. His academic journey includes prior roles at the University of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania before joining NYU in 2014.