Sara Galletti

Sara Galletti is Associate Professor in the Department of Art, Art History & Visual Studies at Duke University's Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. Her research focuses on early modern architectural history with emphasis on Mediterranean construction practices, stereotomy, and cross-cultural exchanges between France and Italy during the Renaissance.

Education:

• Ph.D. in History of Architecture and Urbanism, joint program, Université de Paris IV-Sorbonne and Università IUAV di Venezia (2004)
• M.Arch., Università IUAV di Venezia (1999)

Galletti's research centers on architectural knowledge transfer in the pre-modern Mediterranean, particularly stone vaulting techniques and stereotomy. Her recent book project History of Stone Vaulting in the Pre-Modern Mediterranean (funded by NEH) examines how construction practices traveled across cultural boundaries. She has pioneered studies on Philibert de L'Orme's theoretical contributions, revealing how paper-based design transformed building practices. Her work uniquely bridges architectural theory, construction history, and gender studies, with special attention to Maria de' Medici's architectural patronage in Paris.

Her publications demonstrate consistent focus on Mediterranean construction networks, French-Italian architectural exchanges, and the materialization of political power through space. Recent articles analyze stereotomy from Cairo to Paris, revealing transregional knowledge flows that challenge Eurocentric architectural histories.

Scientific Awards:

• Thomas Langford Lectureship Award (Duke University, 2015)
• Bruno Zevi Special Mention (2012)
• Andrew W. Mellon Assistant Professorship (2011)

Galletti actively mentors doctoral students specializing in early modern architecture, currently supervising Lachlan Hassman while having previously guided dissertations by Iara Dundas, Brittany Forniotis, Dana Hogan, and Elisabeth Narkin. She leads the multi-year "Building Duke" initiative documenting campus architectural history, securing Bass Connections grants (2018-2021). Her editorial work includes the Journal of Medieval and Early Modern Studies (2016-2024) and Opus Incertum (2018-2020).

As Principal Investigator for the NEH-funded project on Mediterranean stone vaulting (2021-2022), she directs fieldwork and digital modeling efforts. Her leadership extends to Duke's 2030 Working Group reimagining shared governance and the Library Steering Group.