Peter von Blanckenhagen
Encyclopedia
Peter Heinrich von Blanckenhagen (1909 in Riga
, Latvia
- 1990) was a scholar of Roman
art, and especially ancient wall painting.
Born in Latvia
, von Blanckenhagen and his family fled to Germany
following the Bolshevik Revolution. It was in German
universities that he received his training in classical archaeology
. In 1947 von Blanckenhagen came to the United States
and was a visiting professor at the University of Chicago
. He would return to Germany
, but became an American
citizen in 1956. As a scholar he was best known for his expertise in Roman painting and sculpture and he had a long and distinguished career during which he published numerous books and articles and held several eminent lectureships. He was awarded the Commander’s Cross of the Order of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1981. He was awarded the Gold Medal Award
for Distinguished Archaeological Achievement from the Archaeological Institute of America
in 1982. At his death, von Blanckenhagen was the Robert Lehman Professor Emeritus of Fine Arts at the Institute of Fine Arts
at New York University
.
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
, Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
- 1990) was a scholar of Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
art, and especially ancient wall painting.
Born in Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
, von Blanckenhagen and his family fled to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
following the Bolshevik Revolution. It was in German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
universities that he received his training in classical archaeology
Classical archaeology
Classical archaeology is the archaeological investigation of the great Mediterranean civilizations of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. Nineteenth century archaeologists such as Heinrich Schliemann were drawn to study the societies they had read about in Latin and Greek texts...
. In 1947 von Blanckenhagen came to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and was a visiting professor at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
. He would return to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, but became an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
citizen in 1956. As a scholar he was best known for his expertise in Roman painting and sculpture and he had a long and distinguished career during which he published numerous books and articles and held several eminent lectureships. He was awarded the Commander’s Cross of the Order of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1981. He was awarded the Gold Medal Award
Gold Medal of the Archaeological Institute of America
The Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Archaeological Achievement is awarded by the Archaeological Institute of America in "recognition of a scholar who has made distinguished contributions to archaeology through his or her fieldwork, publications, and/or teaching."It is the Institute's highest award...
for Distinguished Archaeological Achievement from the Archaeological Institute of America
Archaeological Institute of America
The Archaeological Institute of America is a North American nonprofit organization devoted to the promotion of public interest in archaeology, and the preservation of archaeological sites. It has offices on the campus of Boston University and in New York City.The institute was founded in 1879,...
in 1982. At his death, von Blanckenhagen was the Robert Lehman Professor Emeritus of Fine Arts at the Institute of Fine Arts
New York University Institute of Fine Arts
The Institute of Fine Arts is one of the 14 divisions of New York University . It offers a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy, the Advanced Certificate in Conservation of Works of Art, and the Certificate in Curatorial Studies...
at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
.
Publications
- The Paintings from Boscotrecase. Heidelberg: F.H. Kerle, 1962.
- "Daedalus and Icarus on Pompeian Walls," Römische Mitteilungen 75 (1968): 106-145.
- The Augustan Villa at Boscotrecase. Mainz am Rhein: P. von Zabern, 1990.
- "Das Bild des Menschen in der Romischen Kunst". Krefeld, Germany: Scherpe-Verlag, 1948. (The Human Image in Roman Art)
Further reading
- Studies in Classical Art and Archaeology: a Tribute to Peter Heinrich von Blanckenhagen. Locust Valley, NY: J. J. Augustin, 1979.
- Harrison, Evelyn B. "Peter Heinrich von Blanckenhagen, 1909-1990" American Journal of Archaeology (1991).