معرفی
Victor Coonin serves as Professor and Chair of Art and Art History at Rhodes College, specializing in Italian Renaissance Art. His scholarly contributions include two authored books, four edited volumes, and dozens of articles that have garnered international attention across 98 countries via academia.edu.
Academic Background:
- B.A., Oberlin College
- M.A., Syracuse University
- Ph.D., Rutgers University
Professor Coonin's research explores Renaissance sculpture, gender dynamics, and interdisciplinary connections between art and science. His definitive work on Michelangelo's David was cited in The New York Times and featured on Jeopardy!, while his monograph on Donatello represents the first scholarly study of the artist in 25 years. He investigates themes ranging from sexuality in Michelangelo's drawings to women's roles in Northern Renaissance iconography, consistently making complex scholarship accessible to public audiences.
His publication trends reveal increasing integration of scientific methodologies with art historical analysis, exemplified by studies on chemistry in early painting techniques and materiality of Renaissance sculpture. This interdisciplinary approach directly informs his innovative teaching in courses like "Chemistry and Art" and "Art and Spirituality in the Middle Ages".
As an educator, Professor Coonin mentors undergraduate researchers through projects at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, documentation of the South's oldest Jewish cemetery, and studies of Michelangelo commemorative medals. His students regularly present at national conferences, and he actively promotes global learning through Rhodes' European Studies Program.
Community Engagement:
Professor Coonin volunteers for Memphis organizations, plays ukulele with the Memphis Ukulele Flash Mob, and supports the Miami Dolphins. He resides near campus with his family, pets, and an ever-changing fish collection.
