Brad Hostetler, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Art History at Florida State University, will spend the next academic year studying at Dumbarton Oaks, a Harvard University-directed research institution that owns one of the finest libraries and collections of artifacts from the Byzantine Empire.
Hostetler was awarded one of four Junior Fellowships from Dumbarton Oaks in Byzantine Studies. He is the only art historian of the group, and the only student from a North American university.
“Because of its status in Byzantine studies Dumbarton Oaks attracts the best Byzantine scholars from around the world,” Hostetler said. “I look forward to being part of that community, and to having regular conversations with thesenior scholars in residence.The library, the museum and the people all offer me the resources to not only finish mydissertation but to move forward in my career. I am extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity.”
The Dumbarton Oaks collection comprises more than 1,200 objects from the fourth to 15th centuries, and includes objects from the imperial, ecclesiastical and secular realms.
Hostetler will reside at the Washington, D.C.-located institution while completing his dissertation, “The Function of Text: ByzantineReliquaries with Metrical Inscriptions, 843-1204.” He will examine the ways in which reliquaries and the inscribed dedications functionedin Byzantium.
Lynn Jones, associate professor of art history at Florida State, encouraged Hostetler to use the Dumbarton Oaks library for his research as well as apply for the junior fellowship. Jones, an expert in Eastern medieval art and architecture, is also past recipient of the Junior Fellowship.
“The Art History faculty is delighted — but not at all surprised —that Brad has received a Junior Fellowship from Dumbarton Oaks,” Jones said.“He has taken full advantage of all that FSU has to offer, developing from a promising M.A. student to an accomplished doctoral candidate. I am excited to watch this next stage of Brad’s career unfold as he takes his place as a member of the academic community at the premier center for Byzantine Studies.”
Hostetler, a native of Emma, Ind., has taught art history courses at FSU since 2011. He received his bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College in Illinois, and his master’s degree from Florida State.