Ronni Baer

Ronni Baer is a distinguished professor of art history at the Department of Art and Archaeology at Princeton University. With a profound expertise in European art of the 17th century, she has made significant contributions to the field through her extensive lectures both nationally and internationally. Her scholarly pursuits focus on Dutch, Flemish, and Spanish art, areas in which she has curated several notable exhibitions. Throughout her illustrious career, Baer has curated a number of influential exhibitions. Among these are "Gerrit Dou, Rembrandt's First Pupil," which was showcased in Washington, The Hague, and London in 2000, and "The Poetry of Everyday Life: Dutch Painting in Boston" in 2002. Her collaboration with Cliff Ackley resulted in "Rembrandt's Journey: Painter • Draftsman • Etcher" in 2004, while her work with Sarah Schroth brought forth "El Greco to Velázquez: Art During the Reign of Philip III" in 2008. More recently, she curated "Class Distinctions: Dutch Painting in the Age of Rembrandt and Vermeer" in 2016. In recognition of her contributions to the arts, Baer was knighted by King Juan Carlos of Spain in 2008 and by King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands in 2017. Her academic achievements were further acknowledged when she was named the Institute of Fine Arts' Distinguished Alumna and served as the Commencement Speaker in 2018. Additionally, she contributed her expertise as a member of the Board of Advisors for the Center for the Advanced Study in the Visual Arts at the National Gallery of Art during 2018-2019. Baer's teaching philosophy is deeply rooted in the exploration of art objects. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the physical condition and painterly execution of artworks, as well as their various levels of meaning and the insights they provide into the societies that produced them. Her commitment to teaching from the object allows students to engage with art in a comprehensive and meaningful way. Her dedication to the field of art history and her passion for European art continue to inspire both her students and colleagues. Through her work, Baer has not only advanced the understanding of 17th-century art but has also enriched the cultural and academic communities with her insights and expertise.