Jesse Rhian-yu Sullivan (she/her) is an art historian with an artist’s background. Her methodology prioritizes close looking and merges artistic, digital, and scientific techniques. She has studied in Bologna, Florence, Venice, and London, where she earned her Master’s degree at the Courtauld Institute of Art. At Temple, she has received a University Fellowship, the Marcia Hall Research Award, and the Departmental Temple Rome Fellowship. In 2024, she lived in Bologna, Italy, doing essential in-situ research and documentation. Her dissertation investigates the literal and conceptual materiality of Italian paintings through the end of the fifteenth century. Sullivan combines first-hand experience with traditional painting and gilding techniques with highly detailed macro photography of Renaissance paintings to ground her thesis arguments about period values and artistic intent.  

She has taught at Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Moore College of Art and Design, and Juniata College, and currently works as an academic coach at Temple University's Student Success Center. She has presented her research at the Renaissance Society of America, the Pratt in Venice Research Symposium, and the New College Conference on Medieval and Renaissance Studies. In 2027, she will present at the Renaissance Society of America Conference in Philadelphia and the College Art Association Conference in New York City. 

Advisor: Marcia Hall, PhD

Dissertation Title: “Ripples on the Surface: Active Dimensionality in Early Renaissance Painting"