Dear Colleagues, Students, and Friends,
With deep regret and sadness, I am writing to share the news that David
Rosand, Meyer Schapiro Professor of Art History Emeritus, passed away
peacefully on Friday morning, surrounded by his family.
David Rosand joined the art history faculty in 1964, having earned both
his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Columbia University. He
served twice as the chairman of the Department of Art History and
Archaeology, was a devoted teacher and director of Art Humanities, and
led the Columbia Society of Fellows in the Humanities. While David
formally retired in 2010, he continued to offer seminars each spring
until 2013, his final semester of teaching.
For more than five decades, David's teaching and groundbreaking research
on Titian, Venetian woodcuts, drawings, and other aspects of Venetian
Renaissance culture, have profoundly shaped and inspired countless
students and faculty colleagues on campus and around the world. In May,
Columbia University recognized his many contributions to the field of
art history and to the life of the university by conferring upon him the
degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa.
David is survived by his wife Ellen, his sons Jonathan and Eric, and
their families. Funeral services will be private. A memorial service is
planned for the fall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the
David Rosand Memorial Fund via check at Columbia University, MC4520, 622 W113th St, New York, NY 10025 or via credit card by going to the following link: David Rosand Memorial Fund.
We will remember David as a passionate scholar, inspiring teacher, and
trusted friend and colleague. His boundless generosity and enthusiasm
has touched the lives of many members of our community. He will be
greatly missed by all of us.
Sincerely,
Holger Klein
