Mary Miller (art historian) facts for kids

This image shows a reproduction of a section from the Bonampak Murals. Professor Mary Miller helped lead a project to document these ancient Maya paintings. Artists used special infrared images to see parts of the murals that were hidden or damaged. This allowed them to create very detailed copies.

Mary Ellen Miller, born on December 30, 1952, is an American art historian. She is an expert in the ancient cultures of Mesoamerica, especially the Maya people. She has spent her career studying and teaching about their amazing art and history.

Her Journey in Education

Mary Ellen Miller grew up in New York State. She went to Princeton University for her first degree. Later, she earned her Ph.D. from Yale University in 1981. Her Ph.D. project was all about the incredible wall paintings found at Bonampak, an ancient Maya site in Mexico.

After finishing her studies, Miller joined the teaching staff at Yale in 1981. She became a very respected professor of History of Art.

A Leader at Yale University

From 1999 to 2008, Professor Miller was the head of Saybrook College at Yale. This is like being a principal for a group of college students. In 2008, she made history by becoming the first woman to be the Dean of Yale College. This was a very important job, overseeing all undergraduate students.

When she was appointed, the president of Yale, Richard C. Levin, praised her. He said she was a "magnificent scholar" and a "devoted teacher." Miller served as dean until 2014. She decided to step down because she wanted to focus more on her research and teaching.

New Adventures at Getty

During her time at Yale, Miller also led several departments. These included the history of art and Latin American studies. She also worked to preserve ancient art at Yale's Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage.

In January 2019, she took on a new role. She became the director of the Getty Research Institute in Los Angeles. This institute is a famous center for studying art and culture.

Bringing Ancient Art to Life

Professor Miller has helped create amazing art exhibitions. In 2004, she was a special curator for "The Courtly Art of the Ancient Maya." This exhibition showed beautiful Maya art at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. She also wrote the book for this exhibition.

Earlier, in 1986, she co-wrote a book called The Blood of Kings. This book was also about Maya art and won an award. These exhibitions and books helped many people learn about the ancient Maya.

Important Projects and Books

Mary Ellen Miller has worked on many exciting projects. One of her most famous projects is documenting the Maya wall paintings at Bonampak, Mexico. She worked with a team of experts and artists to study and recreate these ancient murals. This work led to two important books: The Murals of Bonampak (1986) and The Spectacle of the Late Maya Court (2013).

She has also written several books for a general audience. These books help everyone understand ancient art. Some of her well-known books include:

• Maya Art and Architecture
• The Art of Mesoamerica
• The Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya (with Karl Taube)

Her articles often explore Aztec and Maya art. She also looks at how people have studied ancient art over time.

Discovering Maya Secrets

In 2017, Professor Miller supported the authenticity of the Grolier Codex. This is a very old Maya book. She explained that some parts of the book might look unusual because it was likely made by an artist from a smaller town. It was a practical, everyday object, not a grand masterpiece.

Awards and Recognition

Mary Ellen Miller has received many honors for her work on the Maya. She won a Guggenheim Fellowship, which is a special award for scholars and artists. She is also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

She has given important lectures at famous places like the National Gallery of Art. During her time as dean at Yale, she helped secure a large grant. This money supported a program for students studying humanities. She also gave lectures at Cambridge University in England.

See also

In Spanish: Mary Miller para niños