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Elizabeth Pergam

Art Historian

Professional Background

Elizabeth Pergam is an esteemed academic and art historian with a rich background in the visual arts, particularly focusing on the 18th and 19th centuries. Serving as a professor at Sotheby's Institute of Art, she imparts her vast knowledge and passion for art history to aspiring scholars and professionals in the field. With an extensive career that includes curatorial positions and fellowships at prestigious institutions, Pergam's insights contribute to the understanding of European painting and art collection.

Previously, she held the position of Curator at the Dian Woodner Collection, where she was responsible for curating significant exhibitions that highlighted masterpieces of art through meticulous research and interpretation. Her tenure at The Metropolitan Museum of Art as a Chester Dale Fellow allowed her to deepen her expertise in European paintings, collaborating with some of the leading art historians and curators in the world.

Her affiliation with respected organizations like the National Gallery of Art and The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens reflects her commitment to advancing art scholarship and preservation. Elizabeth's roles as Research Associate further honed her skills in understanding the historical context and significance of artworks, contributing to various publications and exhibitions in the field of art history.

Education and Achievements

Elizabeth's educational foundation is rooted in renowned institutions that shaped her intellectual journey. She earned her Bachelor's degree in History of Art from Yale University, where she developed a keen appreciation for art theory and criticism. Pursuing her love for European art canvas further, she completed her Master's degree at the Courtauld Institute of Art, focusing on 18th century France and Britain. Elizabeth continued to expand her knowledge by studying for her PhD at the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, specializing in 19th-century art, enabling her to explore the influences, techniques, and cultural dynamics of the era.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Elizabeth has made significant contributions to the fields of art history and museum studies through numerous research endeavors and collaborative projects. Her dedication to art education is evident in her previous role as an Adjunct Professor at George Washington University, where she shaped the future of art historians and curators.

Achievements

Throughout her illustrious career, Elizabeth Pergam has been recognized for her exceptional contributions to art historiography and education. Her scholarly work continues to inspire students and professionals alike, as she navigates the complexities of art movements, styles, and historical significance with enthusiasm and expertise. By leading discussions and workshops at various academic conventions, Pergam has positioned herself as a thought leader in the study of European art, greatly impacting the discourse surrounding 18th and 19th-century artworks.

Elizabeth's commitment to education and cultural stewardship exemplifies her belief in the importance of art as a lens through which we can better understand society. Her work has not only advanced institutional knowledge but has also promoted the appreciation of art history in general, making a lasting impact on her students and peers.

tags:[

19th century art

18th century art

art history

Sotheby's Institute of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Dian Woodner Collection

George Washington University

Courtauld Institute of Art

Yale University

British and Continental Art

research associate

curatorial experience

art collections

professor

fellowships

art education

Highlights

Apr 15 · linkedin

Excited to share the preliminary program for The Society for the History of Collecting's Provenance Research Workshop--a collaboration with the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian Archives of American Art. Tools for Research in Archives and Libraries in Washington, DC, will take place on Wednesday, May 22.

Following the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Washington Conference Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art of 1998, we believe this is a timely moment to examine the state of provenance research as conducted in museums and to draw attention to underutilized resources. While the Washington Principles focused on Nazi-era restitutions and resulted in a sea change in American museums’ approach to researching provenance, the scrutinization of how art journeyed across cultures and periods has expanded well beyond the Conference’s initial parameters. The foundation of provenance research, however, remains in the archive. Although there is no doubt that the development and growth of the internet have made certain types of records easily (or more easily) accessible, many valuable resources remain available only in analog format.   This workshop is intended to give an overview of:   • provenance research at the National Gallery of Art • special collections held in the National Gallery of Art Library, Archives, and Curatorial Records • other underutilized resources • potential areas of research   The intended audience is curators, archivists, emerging scholars, and the broader art history community of the region.     DAY ONE Wednesday, May 22: National Gallery of Art 10:00 am-12:20 pm Morning Session: Welcome and Case-Study Presentations   1:45 pm-4:00 pm Afternoon Session: Visits to National Gallery Archives, Library, and Curatorial Records   4:30 pm: Key-Note Lecture: “Provenance and the Archive: Presences and Absences” Dr. Anne Helmreich, Director, Smithsonian Archives of American Art   DAY TWO Thursday, May 23: Visits to other museums and archives in Washington, DC  


  FINAL PROGRAM AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION WILL BE CIRCULATED IN EARLY MAY For information: [email protected]

Feb 9 · linkedin

Delighted to announce that the Society for the History of Collecting (https://lnkd.in/eFyF732Q) will have two sessions at the upcoming College Art Association annual conference:

Our dedicated session https://lnkd.in/etF3uJyQ and our business meeting are both on Friday, February 17 at the Hilton Hotel, Concourse A.

11:00am-12:30pm: ‘Interpreting/Re-Interpreting Collections’ co-chairs: Rebecca Lyons (Royal Academy of Arts) and Marie Tavinor (Royal Academy of Arts) with Veronique Chagnon-Burke (Independent Scholar) as respondent

This session aims to emphasize the dynamic aspects of collections and the ways they are viewed, discussed and displayed over time and place. Three speakers will offer their insight into the panel topics: Julie Codell (Arizona State University) on ‘Ascending from Storage, Undisciplining the Canon: the Dramatic Revision of Central European Modernism’; Sandra Zalman (University of Houston) on ‘Revealing the ‘invisible’ collection: MoMA’s 1964 Expansion’; Elisaveta Dvorakk (Humboldt University of Berlin) on ‘Invisibilities on Display: the Hashem el Madani Collection of the Arab Image Foundation Re-Interpreted (1998-2018)’.

Business Meeting: 1pm-2pm (Attendance at the Society for the History of Collecting Business Meeting does not require registration for CAA)

Following upon last year’s meeting during which we heard from four doctoral candidates about their dissertation topics and the challenges of conducting research during a pandemic, this year we will continue to highlight the Society’s role in supporting the study of the history of collecting. To that end, we will announce the formation of an early career researcher study group.

Students currently enrolled in a terminal MA or in a PhD program in any academic discipline with an interest in pursuing a topic in the history of collecting are invited to submit their interest in participating in a study group that will meet via Zoom two to three times a semester beginning in April/May 2023.

The study group will have three purposes:

• to provide an informal setting to present research for peer feedback • to foster research in preparation for publication • to provide mentorship for students

Please email [email protected] with the subject line: ECR Study Group and provide a brief bio and abstract of your research.

There will also be time to meet Americas Chapter and Society officers and members (and there will be home-made cookies).

Related Questions

How has Elizabeth Pergam's education influenced her approach to art history?
What are some notable exhibitions curated by Elizabeth Pergam during her tenure at the Dian Woodner Collection?
In what ways did Elizabeth Pergam's fellowship at The Metropolitan Museum of Art shape her career in art history?
How does Elizabeth Pergam incorporate her extensive research experience into her teaching at Sotheby's Institute of Art?
What insights has Elizabeth Pergam provided in her studies on 18th-century art in France and Britain?
Elizabeth Pergam
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Location

New York City Metropolitan Area