In conversation with Joseph Koerner - "In the Foreground: Conversations on Art & Writing" podcast

November 22, 2021
Title graphic for podcast " "In the Foreground: Conversations on Art & Writing" by The Clark Institute

In a recent episode of The Clark Art Institute's podcast, "In the Foreground: Conversations on Art & Writing", Professor Joseph Koerner spoke on the themes of history, trauma and wonder:

 "Caro Fowler speaks with Joseph Leo Koerner, professor of art history at Harvard University, who teaches and writes about the history of art from the late Middle Ages to the present day, with an emphasis on Northern Renaissance art. Joseph discusses his early focus on literary studies, psychoanalysis, and romanticism, and how his curiosity about the traumatic core of history has informed his work. More specifically, he describes how themes of fragility and besieging shaped his childhood by way of the physical presence of his father’s paintings in their family home, as well as the role played by visiting Vienna and the Kunsthistoriches Museum there. Finally, he delves into his 2019 documentary The Burning Child, and describes his current book project that explores concepts of siege. What does art do in a state of siege, he asks; how does it flare up? "

You can listen to the full episode on The Clark Institute website.