Christina Maranci Explained

Christina Maranci (born 1968) is an Armenian-American researcher, writer, translator, historian, and professor at currently serving as the Mashtots Professor of Armenian Studies at Harvard University. She is considered an expert on the history and development of Armenian architecture.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Life

Maranci was born in 1968 in the United States and grew up in Connecticut.^[4] She is of Armenian descent. Her father was born in Istanbul, Turkey and her mother was born in the United States. She attained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History at Vassar College in 1990. Maranci continued her education and received a master's degree at Princeton University in the Art and Archeology department.^[5] She received her Ph.D. at Princeton University in 1998 in the Art and Archeology department with her dissertation Medieval Armenian Architecture in Historiography: Josef Strzygowski and his Legacy.^[6] She also audited courses with Nina Garsoïan at New York University.^[7]

She was an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee from 2001 to 2004, and an associate professor there through 2008. From 2008 to 2016 she was an associate professor in the Department of Art and Art History at Tufts University, and from 2016 to 2022, a full professor.

In 2022 she was appointed to the Mashtots Chair of Armenian Studies at Harvard University, becoming the first woman and the first person of Armenian descent in that position. She is the third holder of the chair since its inauguration in 1969, after Robert W. Thomson (1969-1992), and James R. Russell (1992-2016).^[8]

Notable fellowship and awards

• Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Fellowship (1995–1997)^[9]
• Mellon Dissertation Research Fellowship, Princeton University (1997–1998)
• University of Madison, Wisconsin – Graduate School Research Award Fellowship (2006)
• University of Madison, Wisconsin – Center for 21st-Century Studies Research Fellowship (2007–2008)^[10]
• Tufts University – Faculty and Research Award (2010)

She is featured in the 2011 book Encyclopedia of Prominent Armenian Women edited by Zori Balayan.^[11]

Works

Maranci's research is mainly on medieval Armenian history and the relationship with the Sasanian, Byzantine, and Islamic empires. She also focuses on the problems found in modern historiography.^[12] Maranci's 2001 book Medieval Armenian Architecture: Constructions of Race and Nation highlights art historian Josef Strzygowski and his important contributions and influence in the studies of Armenian architecture. Her recent works focus on the Byzantine influence into Armenian art and architecture. She has published A Survival Guide for Art History Students (2004), which provides Art History students with helpful assistance and information to help them when taking Art History courses.^[13] The languages Maranci researches in include Italian, English, German, French, Armenian (Classical Armenian and Modern Armenian) and Greek.

Maranci is also deemed as one of the world's experts and authorities on the Cathedral of Mren, an Armenian cathedral in Turkey that is on the verge of collapse.^[14]

Books

• Medieval Armenian Architecture: Constructions of Race and Nation (2001)
• A Survival Guide for Art History Students (2004)
• Vigilant Powers: Three Churches of Early Medieval Armenia (2015)
• The Art of Armenia: An Introduction (2018)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Christina Maranci. Genocidio Armenio. 22 February 2013. Spanish.
2. News: U.S. prof. calls to save Mren Cathedral of Western Armenia. 25 February 2013. PanArmenian. February 23, 2013. Prof. Maranci’s areas of expertise include Byzantine art and architecture, and the art and architecture of the Transcaucasus - principally Armenia..
3. News: Turkey restores Armenian church to show goodwill. 22 February 2013. The International Herald Tribune. March 23, 2007. Christina Maranci, an expert on medieval Armenian architecture at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
4. Web site: Kezelian . Harry . 2022-08-24 . Christina Maranci Brings Fresh Yet Experienced Leadership to Harvard's Armenian Studies Chair . 2022-08-26 . The Armenian Mirror-Spectator . en-US.
5. Web site: CHRISTINA MARANCI. Department of Art History. Tufts University. 20 February 2013.
6. Web site: "Rock, Paper, Scissors: The Excavation and Reconstruction of Zvartnots" A Talk by Dr. Christina Maranci, Arthur H. Dadian and Ara Oztemel Chair of Armenian Art and Architecture at Tufts University.. Armenian Library and Museum of America. 22 February 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402120007/http://www.almainc.org/calendar_events_zvartnots.html. 2 April 2015. dead.
7. Web site: Kezelian . Harry . 2022-08-24 . Christina Maranci Brings Fresh Yet Experienced Leadership to Harvard’s Armenian Studies Chair . 2024-03-18 . The Armenian Mirror-Spectator . en-US.
8. Web site: Kezelian . Harry . 2022-08-24 . Christina Maranci Brings Fresh Yet Experienced Leadership to Harvard’s Armenian Studies Chair . 2024-03-17 . The Armenian Mirror-Spectator . en-US.
9. Web site: Medieval Armenian Architecture Constructions of Race and Nation. Peeters Publishers. 5 March 2013.
10. Web site: Former Fellows Center for 21st Century Studies. en-US. 2019-02-14.
11. Book: Balayan, Zori. Hayuhiner: Hanragitaran erku hatorov. 2011. Amaras. Yerevan. Armenian. Title translated from Armenian: "Encyclopedia of Prominent Armenian Women".
12. Book: Hovannisian. Richard G.. Armenian Sebastia/Sivas and Lesser Armenia. 2004. Mazda Publ.. Costa Mesa, Calif.. 1568591527.
13. Book: Maranci, Christina. A Survival Guide for Art History Students. 2005. Pearson/Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River, NJ. 0131401971.
14. News: A Cathedral on the Verge of Collapse: The Campaign to Save Mren. 22 February 2013. Massis.