Rielle Jones-Teske, Undergraduate student, Art History
Rewinds life of Renaissance painter
• Hometown: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• Faculty mentor/advisor: Dr. Daniel Maze
• What is your degree program and expected graduate date? I am pursuing a B.A. in Art History and plan to graduate in May 2022.
• Please describe your research: My research focuses on the life of Venetian Renaissance artist Giovanni Bellini. My priority has been to create an extended family tree through the analysis of archival legal documents.
• In simple terms, why does this research matter? My research provides clarification on Bellini’s lineage and family relationships, topics that are highly contested by Renaissance scholars. By using legal documents as the basis of my work, it encourages other scholars to look closely at primary documents as valuable sources to inform future research.
• How soon after starting at the University of Iowa were you able to participate in research? I began participating in research the summer after my sophomore year.
• How has being involved in research made you more successful at the University of Iowa? Being involved in research has greatly increased my overall success at the University of Iowa. I have been able to engage with my professors outside of the standard classroom environment, gaining valuable experience in the professional world of art history. I have learned about the processes of publication, how to communicate competently and further comport myself as an academic, and how to complete analysis of archival documents. Research has markedly enriched my education at Iowa.
• What are your career goals and/or plans after graduation? After I graduate from Iowa, I plan to pursue a graduate degree in Renaissance art history in England or Italy. Eventually, I would like to become a professor or a researching curator.
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