Stefano Cracolici

Stefano Cracolici is a Professor of Italian Art and Literature at Durham University's School of Modern Languages and Cultures. He holds affiliations with the Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies and the Centre for Catholic Studies. His academic journey includes a Medical Doctor degree from Albert-Ludwig University (1994), a laurea in Italian Literature from Università degli Studi di Trento (1995), and a PhD from the University of Toronto (2000). Before joining Durham in 2007, he served as Assistant Professor at Dartmouth College and the University of Pennsylvania.

Education:

• Medical Doctor, Albert-Ludwig University (1994)
• Laurea in Italian Literature, Università degli Studi di Trento (1995)
• MA and PhD in Italian Studies, University of Toronto (1996–2000)

Research Interests: Cracolici’s work spans Medieval and Renaissance Italian culture, humanism, medical discourse, Leon Battista Alberti, visual culture (including cinema and architecture), the Academy of Arcadia, 18th- and 19th-century art, and Italian cinema. His research often explores transnational exchanges, such as Latin American art’s European ties and Italian Renaissance influences in Mexico.

Publications Trends: His recent articles focus on cross-cultural artistic exchanges, such as Mexican adaptations of Renaissance art and the legacy of Leonardo da Vinci in futurist movements. He also examines cinematic representations of historical and religious narratives, like Quo Vadis? and silent-era mountain films.

Awards and Visiting Roles:

• Visiting Fellow at the Villa I Tatti (2021)
• UK-Mexico Visiting Chair (2018)
• Visiting Professor at the University of São Paulo
• Member of the AHRC Research Panel (2009)

Grants and Leadership: His research is supported by the AHRC, British Academy, and Leverhulme Trust. He directed the Zurbarán Centre for Spanish and Latin American Art at Durham University and led projects on transnational art networks. His supervision includes students Ava Cohen and Henry Carter.

Labs/Teams: He contributed to collaborative initiatives like the Roma en México project, exploring 19th-century Mexican art’s European influences, and the Zurbarán Centre’s focus on Spanish and Latin American art history.