Penn State Harrisburg Faculty Details

Vita

Dr. Thomas has taught European art history and humanities at Penn State Harrisburg since 1975. His articles, mainly on Italian Renaissance and Baroque art, have appeared in scholarly journals such as the Art Bulletin, Studies in Iconography, Journal of Aesthetic Education, Renaissance Quarterly, and Sixteenth Century Journal. He has lectured at national and international conferences on art historical subjects, most recently at the University of Paris. He has based several of his research trips in Rome, and has taught courses on student tours in London, Florence, and Rome. He has received two Provost's Awards for Excellence, one in Research (1988) and one in Teaching (1999).

Education

• Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
• M.A., Indiana University
• M.F.A., University of Colorado
• B.F.A., Philadelphia College of Art

Research Areas

Italian Renaissance and Baroque Art; Interdisciplinary Humanities

Selected Publications

• "An Augustinian Interpretation of Caravaggio's Calling of St. Matthew," Studies in Iconography, vol. 27 (2006), pp. 157-191.
• "Interart Analogy: Practice and Theory in Comparing the Arts," Journal of Aesthetic Education, vol. 25, no. 2 (1991), pp. 17-36
• "Caravaggio and the Roman Oratory of Saint Philip Neri," Studies in Iconography, vol. 12 (1988), pp. 61-89
• " 'Un fior vano e fragile,' The Symbolism of Poussin's Realm of Flora," The Art Bulletin, vol. 68 (June 1986), pp. 225-236
• "Expressive Aspects of Caravaggio's first Inspiration of Saint Matthew," The Art Bulletin, vol. 67 (Dec. 1985), pp. 636-652
• "The Pagan Reliefs in Giovanni Bellini's Blood of the Redeemer," Studies in Iconography, vol. 10 (1984-86), pp. 67-78
• "Rembrandt's Etchings," Exhibition Catalog: Lebanon Valley College, Ursinus College, Muhlenberg College, Franklin and Marshal College, March 1-December 8, 2002, pp. 10-21.

Manuscripts in Progress

• "The Symbolism of Poussin's Diana and Endymion (Detroit Institute of Arts)" (submitted to The Art Bulletin)
• "The Subject and Symbolism of Poussin's Neptune and Amphitrite (Philadelphia Museum of Art)"
• "Caravaggio Darkness: Religion, Natural Philosophy, Skepticism, Society, and Personality," a book–length study interpreting the art of Caravaggio (1571-1610) in light of selected religious, philosophical, and social strains at the end of the sixteenth century

Professional Affiliations

• College Art Association
• Renaissance Society of America
• Patristic, Medieval and Renaissance Society
• Society for Literature, Science, and the Arts

Course Offerings Include

• ART H 423: Studies in Italian Renaissance Art
• ART H 414: Baroque Art in Europe
• ART H 305: Nineteenth Century Art in Europe
• ART H 435: Studies in Modern Art
• I HUM 300W Interdisciplinary Humanities: Magical Worlds
• I HUM 400 Expressions in the Humanities: Politics, Race, and Gender in the Arts
• HUM 515 Seminar: Art History