Studying Art History in Rome: M.A. Student Bernat Racz

Originally from Hungary, student Bernat Racz is currently pursuing an M.A. in Art History at John Cabot University. 

Can you tell us about your background?
I’m from Hungary, and I graduated with an Art History major and an Archeology minor from the American University of Rome. I chose to study Art History because I have always loved art, literature, and history. My interest started at a young age when I became involved in archeological projects museums in Hungary. My love for unearthed objects combined with my other interests has led me to study Art History.

Bernat Racz

Bernat Racz

What made you decide to pursue an M.A. in Art History at JCU? What are some advantages of studying Art History in Rome?
I was interested in the program because I was familiar with the art of Rome and the West in general, but I wanted to have a more critical perspective on the different periods in the history of art while staying in the city. The M.A. program helped me realize which path to follow. With its incredible array of sites, monuments, and artworks, studying Art History in Rome is a truly amazing experience. The city is the ideal place for anyone who studies the arts of any period of the Western canon and beyond. In addition, JCU was an ideal choice for me because I wished to stay in the American higher education system.

What have you enjoyed the most about the program so far?
I have enjoyed everything about this program, but I would say that overcoming academic challenges and improving my skills every day was something that I truly value, even if it was difficult sometimes. For example, in Professor Crispin Corrado’s course on the topography of ancient Rome, I was able to take a section of the city and explore the connections between the monuments and other buildings of the urban fabric. It was a fascinating process because I had to organize primary sources, secondary sources, monuments, and sites in order to see the city as it was. It really taught me what research means and how rewarding it is. I learned to see hidden sections of Rome as only a few are able to do. Another course that illustrates this point is Professor Karen Georgi’s course on nostalgia in the nineteenth-century art of Rome, which contributed to my critical perspective on the nature of historiography and art history.

Tell us about the Professional Experience component of the program. What did it entail?
I was a teaching assistant for Professor Sharon Salvadori’s undergraduate course on medieval Rome and its monuments. I knew that I was going to enjoy this experience, but I did not think that it would completely change the way I see education and research. It was a unique experience because Professor Salvadori, like the other professors in the program, is an incredibly talented lecturer. Preparing classes and discussing how to cover a certain “style” or century was something that I loved. I also delivered two lectures and shared my insights and challenges regarding readings and topics, which was a strange experience since I was not only speaking from the perspective of a fellow student, but also of an instructor.

What are your plans for after graduation?
I am planning to continue my studies because I had such a great time doing research for my thesis. I wrote about the ninth-century mosaic of San Marco in Rome. This research was based on a paper I wrote for Professor Salvadori’s course on saints and relics in medieval Europe. During the process of writing, I felt so motivated that I learned to read French and I also started learning Latin. This led me to look and apply to programs that would enhance my ability to read primary sources in Latin. My interest in Latin and paleography stems from Professor Lila Yawn’s course on manuscripts in which, apart from learning about the pictorial decorations of late-antique and medieval manuscripts, places a great emphasis on paleography. As for my long-term plans, I am interested in researching the period from 800 to 1200 C.E. with a specific focus on the art and architecture related to the cult of relics in Western and Central Europe.

Do you have any advice for undergraduate students considering the M.A. program in Art History?
I would recommend imagining yourself studying something that really fascinates you in a historic library in Rome. It does not matter whether you would like to explore the art of Ancient Rome, current times, or anything in between. I would advise reading a lot, but not only about the period that you are interested in. It is also extremely useful to get familiar with the relevant languages related to the fields you are planning to pursue. Finally, I suggest carefully looking at artworks and their immediate context to see what small details, background, and previous scholarly evaluations tell you about them.