Eugene Dwyer has taught in the Department of Art History at Kenyon since 1973. Born in Buffalo, he grew up in Hamburg, NY and was educated at Frontier Central High School, Harvard College and the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University. While studying for his doctorate in fine arts and archaeology, he lived for extended periods in Rome and Naples, Italy, where he specialized in the archaeology of Pompeii.
Dwyer has contributed articles to numerous journals and to volumes on Italian architecture and archaeology published by presses including Cambridge University Press, Getty Publications and the University of Michigan Press. He is the author of Pompeian Domestic Sculpture: A Study of Five Pompeian Houses and Their Contents (Giorgio Bretschneider, 1982) and Pompeii’s Living Statues:Ancient Roman Lives Stolen from Death (University of Michigan Press, 2010).
At Kenyon he teaches courses in ancient art, the history of architecture, architectural design, and the history of collections.…
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Eugene Dwyer has taught in the Department of Art History at Kenyon since 1973. Born in Buffalo, he grew up in Hamburg, NY and was educated at Frontier Central High School, Harvard College and the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University. While studying for his doctorate in fine arts and archaeology, he lived for extended periods in Rome and Naples, Italy, where he specialized in the archaeology of Pompeii.
Dwyer has contributed articles to numerous journals and to volumes on Italian architecture and archaeology published by presses including Cambridge University Press, Getty Publications and the University of Michigan Press. He is the author of Pompeian Domestic Sculpture: A Study of Five Pompeian Houses and Their Contents (Giorgio Bretschneider, 1982) and Pompeii’s Living Statues:Ancient Roman Lives Stolen from Death (University of Michigan Press, 2010).
At Kenyon he teaches courses in ancient art, the history of architecture, architectural design, and the history of collections.
Read about Pompeii’s Living Statues and hear Professor Dwyer on the same.
Areas of Expertise
History of ancient art, classical archaeology, iconography and collecting.
Education
1974 — Doctor of Philosophy from New York University
1967 — Master of Arts from New York University
1965 — Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University
Courses Recently Taught
ARHS 110
Survey of Art, Part I
ARHS 110
This course surveys Western art and architecture from the Paleolithic era to the end of the Middle Ages. Training in visual analysis is emphasized, as are the historical context, religious beliefs and social conditions in which the artwork was produced. This is primarily a lecture class, though discussion is encouraged. Requirements include examinations and short papers. This counts toward the introductory course requirement for the major. No prerequisite. Offered every semester.
ARHS 113
Survey of Architecture
ARHS 113
This course introduces students to the study of the practical and theoretical principles governing architecture. Architectural traditions from the ancient through the contemporary period will be considered. This counts toward the introductory course requirement for the major. No prerequisite.
ARHS 220
Greek Art
ARHS 220
This course examines the art and architecture of Greece from Bronze Age Crete and Mycenaean palaces of the mainland to the historical age of Greece and the extended Greek cultures of southern Italy and the Hellenistic world. Special attention will be given to the development of Greek standards of beauty and the role of beauty in Greek culture. The format is lecture and discussion. This counts toward the intermediate course and ancient art requirements for the major. Prerequisite: ARHS 110, 111 or equivalent. Offered every other year.
ARHS 221
Roman Art
ARHS 221
This course examines the art and architecture of Rome from its Etruscan and Latin origins through the decline of the Roman Empire. As Rome grew from a city to a world empire, Romans employed the arts in a wide variety of contexts, ranging from the domestic and funereal to the political and imperial, with art and architecture often used in the service of ritual or propaganda. The format is lecture and discussion. This counts toward the intermediate course and ancient art requirements for the major. Prerequisite: ARHS 110, 111 or equivalent. Offered every other year.
ARHS 373
Topics in Ancient Art
ARHS 373
This seminar explores topics and issues relating to the history of ancient art and architecture. Assignments include seminar reports, class discussion and a research paper. This counts toward the advanced course requirement for the major. This course can be repeated up to tow times for credit, so long as they cover different topics. Prerequisite: ARHS 110 or equivalent or one 0.5 unit course in classics.
ARHS 493
Individual Study
ARHS 493
Normally, students may enroll in an individual study only if they have taken all the courses offered by the department in that particular area of the curriculum. Exceptions to this rule are at the discretion of the instructor with the support of the department. Individual study is considered an advanced course and, as such, the work produced should be the equivalent of a seminar or high-level intermediate class. A grade point average of 3.0 minimum in art history courses is required. Exceptions to this rule are at the discretion of the instructor with the consent of the department. The professor and the student should establish and agree on the extent and nature of the work required for the individual study. This may take several forms: several short papers, one long paper, one in-depth project (small exhibition or assisting in doing research for an exhibition), a large (and lengthy) generalized outline and annotated bibliography, public presentations and so on. The student and the professor should meet on a regular basis. The frequency is to be determined by the professor in consultation with the student. Students must seek the permission of the instructor before enrolling. Individual study is undertaken at the discretion of the instructor and must be approved by the department. Individual study can be used toward credit for the major and the minor in Art History. Because students must enroll for individual studies by the end of the seventh class day of each semester, they should begin discussion of the proposed individual study preferably the semester before, so that there is time to devise the proposal and seek departmental approval before the registrar’s deadline.