Steven Nelson
@snelsonus.bsky.social
Former dean, Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts, National Gallery of Art; UCLA professor emeritus; and left-handed art historian who sees lots of shiny objects.
Governor-Elect Spanberger is doing the right thing. wapo.st/4prT7XB
Spanberger says University of Virginia should pause search for president
Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger called on the University of Virginia’s governing board to pause its presidential search until she can appoint new members, saying actions by the current board ha...
wapo.st
November 13, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Governor-Elect Spanberger is doing the right thing. wapo.st/4prT7XB
Films, panels, and artist presentations at Howard University this weekend. If you’re in the area, join us!
November 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Films, panels, and artist presentations at Howard University this weekend. If you’re in the area, join us!
“Love wins” is a nice sentiment, but it hides the hard work that resulted in SCOTUS’s refusal to hear Kim Davis’s case. It also obscures the danger cases like this present.
November 10, 2025 at 10:57 PM
“Love wins” is a nice sentiment, but it hides the hard work that resulted in SCOTUS’s refusal to hear Kim Davis’s case. It also obscures the danger cases like this present.
Reposted by Steven Nelson
🚨 The shutdown isn’t over. The Senate vote was a procedural step, not a deal. Nothing is reopening. Nothing is fixed. Eight Democrats helped move an old GOP bill while families go unpaid and SNAP stays frozen.
Flood the lines. Call your Senators.
☎️ (202) 224-3121
🧵1/2
Flood the lines. Call your Senators.
☎️ (202) 224-3121
🧵1/2
November 10, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Reposted by Steven Nelson
The people showed up in the streets for "No Kings."
They did their part.
The people showed up at the polls on Tuesday.
They did their part.
8 Democrats in the Senate surrendered last night.
They did not do their part.
They did their part.
The people showed up at the polls on Tuesday.
They did their part.
8 Democrats in the Senate surrendered last night.
They did not do their part.
November 10, 2025 at 5:07 PM
The people showed up in the streets for "No Kings."
They did their part.
The people showed up at the polls on Tuesday.
They did their part.
8 Democrats in the Senate surrendered last night.
They did not do their part.
They did their part.
The people showed up at the polls on Tuesday.
They did their part.
8 Democrats in the Senate surrendered last night.
They did not do their part.
Happening this Wednesday at Bates College. My lecture, tilted “The Underground Railroad, Quilts, and the Power of Desire,” will take place at 4:30 in the Benjamin Mays Center. If you’re in the area, please come!
November 10, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Happening this Wednesday at Bates College. My lecture, tilted “The Underground Railroad, Quilts, and the Power of Desire,” will take place at 4:30 in the Benjamin Mays Center. If you’re in the area, please come!
It was wonderful to have taken part in the gathering “The Education of the Eyes: 150 Years of Art History at Harvard,” this past weekend. Seeing old and new friends, mentors, colleagues, and students was exhilarating. Photo by Sarah Lewis.
#arthistory #closelooking
#arthistory #closelooking
November 10, 2025 at 2:23 AM
It was wonderful to have taken part in the gathering “The Education of the Eyes: 150 Years of Art History at Harvard,” this past weekend. Seeing old and new friends, mentors, colleagues, and students was exhilarating. Photo by Sarah Lewis.
#arthistory #closelooking
#arthistory #closelooking
Reposted by Steven Nelson
The sandwich guy has been acquitted.
When the jury did not return a quick verdict, it looked like he might be toast.
Turns out they needed to chew on it some more.
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
When the jury did not return a quick verdict, it looked like he might be toast.
Turns out they needed to chew on it some more.
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
Jury acquits D.C. 'sandwich guy' charged with chucking a sub at a federal agent
Sean Dunn faced single misdemeanor offense after federal grand jurors refused to indict him on the felony charge sought by prosecutors.
www.nbcnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:46 PM
The sandwich guy has been acquitted.
When the jury did not return a quick verdict, it looked like he might be toast.
Turns out they needed to chew on it some more.
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
When the jury did not return a quick verdict, it looked like he might be toast.
Turns out they needed to chew on it some more.
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
Reposted by Steven Nelson
The utter stupidity of pursuing a criminal trial against someone for throwing a sandwich that bounced off a bullet proof vest pissing away hundreds of thousands of dollars for this joke is the perfect encapsulation of this Administration.
November 6, 2025 at 3:41 AM
The utter stupidity of pursuing a criminal trial against someone for throwing a sandwich that bounced off a bullet proof vest pissing away hundreds of thousands of dollars for this joke is the perfect encapsulation of this Administration.
Reposted by Steven Nelson
California voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed Proposition 50 in a race called by the Associated Press before a single ballot was counted—a reflection of decisive support in a victory that significantly boosts Democratic chances of retaking the House of Representatives next year.
Dems win major victory against Trumpism as Prop. 50 passes in California
The Golden State ballot measure cancels out Republicans' Texas gerrymander.
www.motherjones.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:14 AM
California voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed Proposition 50 in a race called by the Associated Press before a single ballot was counted—a reflection of decisive support in a victory that significantly boosts Democratic chances of retaking the House of Representatives next year.
Does anyone know Cuomo’s move date?
November 5, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Does anyone know Cuomo’s move date?
Reposted by Steven Nelson
UNTIL IT’S DONE, Ep. 5: Vito Marcantonio
There are many who dismiss our vision for New York as impossible. To them, I say we need look only to our past for proof of how we can shape the future.
Tomorrow is Election Day. And this is the final Until It's Done of our campaign.
There are many who dismiss our vision for New York as impossible. To them, I say we need look only to our past for proof of how we can shape the future.
Tomorrow is Election Day. And this is the final Until It's Done of our campaign.
November 4, 2025 at 4:14 AM
UNTIL IT’S DONE, Ep. 5: Vito Marcantonio
There are many who dismiss our vision for New York as impossible. To them, I say we need look only to our past for proof of how we can shape the future.
Tomorrow is Election Day. And this is the final Until It's Done of our campaign.
There are many who dismiss our vision for New York as impossible. To them, I say we need look only to our past for proof of how we can shape the future.
Tomorrow is Election Day. And this is the final Until It's Done of our campaign.
The Philadelphia Art Museum has dismissed director Sasha Suda. www.inquirer.com/arts/sasha-s...
Philadelphia Art Museum chief exec Sasha Suda has been dismissed
While the reasons for Suda’s dismissal were not immediately clear, several events in the past months have pointed to internal dissent at the museum.
www.inquirer.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:47 PM
The Philadelphia Art Museum has dismissed director Sasha Suda. www.inquirer.com/arts/sasha-s...
Reposted by Steven Nelson
I don't resent poor people who use food stamps to buy another soft drink.
I resent rich people who take away the funds for food stamps to buy another yacht.
I resent rich people who take away the funds for food stamps to buy another yacht.
November 2, 2025 at 5:17 PM
I don't resent poor people who use food stamps to buy another soft drink.
I resent rich people who take away the funds for food stamps to buy another yacht.
I resent rich people who take away the funds for food stamps to buy another yacht.
“Amy Sherald: American Sublime” has opened at the Baltimore Museum of Art. I can’t wait to see it there. The show then travels to the @highmuseumofart.bsky.social, opening Spring 2026.
Great news! The Baltimore Museum of Art is taking “Amy Sherald: American Sublime,” which was originally scheduled to take place at the National Portrait Gallery. artbma.org/exhibition/a...
November 2, 2025 at 11:27 PM
“Amy Sherald: American Sublime” has opened at the Baltimore Museum of Art. I can’t wait to see it there. The show then travels to the @highmuseumofart.bsky.social, opening Spring 2026.
Reposted by Steven Nelson
Please consider these generally unknown details.
November 1, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Please consider these generally unknown details.
This is a big deal. Kudos to @mfaboston.bsky.social for its actions. The institution is proving an important precedent for the restitution of objects that others should follow. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/u...
Enslaved Potter’s Art, Displayed at Boston Museum, Returns to Heirs at Last
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:24 PM
This is a big deal. Kudos to @mfaboston.bsky.social for its actions. The institution is proving an important precedent for the restitution of objects that others should follow. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/u...
Reposted by Steven Nelson
🚨🚨🚨 Major announcement!!!
I am extremely pleased to announce that HAA is searching for a senior, endowed position in premodern art or architecture. The subfield is wide open. Please spread the word and encourage curious scholars to write to me with questions! 🚨🚨🚨
cfopitt.taleo.net/careersectio...
I am extremely pleased to announce that HAA is searching for a senior, endowed position in premodern art or architecture. The subfield is wide open. Please spread the word and encourage curious scholars to write to me with questions! 🚨🚨🚨
cfopitt.taleo.net/careersectio...
William S. Dietrich II Professor of Premodern Arts and/or Architecture
Click the link provided to see the complete job description.
cfopitt.taleo.net
October 30, 2025 at 9:30 PM
🚨🚨🚨 Major announcement!!!
I am extremely pleased to announce that HAA is searching for a senior, endowed position in premodern art or architecture. The subfield is wide open. Please spread the word and encourage curious scholars to write to me with questions! 🚨🚨🚨
cfopitt.taleo.net/careersectio...
I am extremely pleased to announce that HAA is searching for a senior, endowed position in premodern art or architecture. The subfield is wide open. Please spread the word and encourage curious scholars to write to me with questions! 🚨🚨🚨
cfopitt.taleo.net/careersectio...
This is what authoritarianism looks like.
Wole Soyinka, Nigerian Nobel laureate and Trump critic, says US visa revoked www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
Wole Soyinka, Nigerian Nobel laureate and Trump critic, says US visa revoked www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
Wole Soyinka, Nigerian Nobel laureate and Trump critic, says US visa revoked
Soyinka, 91, who recently compared US president to Idi Amin, says ‘I have no visa – I am banned’
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:41 PM
This is what authoritarianism looks like.
Wole Soyinka, Nigerian Nobel laureate and Trump critic, says US visa revoked www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
Wole Soyinka, Nigerian Nobel laureate and Trump critic, says US visa revoked www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
Reposted by Steven Nelson
Elizabeth Cropper on 16th-century painters Prospero and Lavinia Fontana www.nicholashall.art/journal/fath...
Fathers and Daughters – Part 2 | Nicholas Hall
Art historian Elizabeth Cropper investigates the influence of Prospero Fontana on the artistic output of his daughter, Lavinia Fontana.
www.nicholashall.art
October 28, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Elizabeth Cropper on 16th-century painters Prospero and Lavinia Fontana www.nicholashall.art/journal/fath...
Reposted by Steven Nelson
ICYMI: Drop everything and spend 13 minutes with Amy Sherald--with her singular vision and talent, with her clarity about her central place in the jagged American story. You will be stirred by it all. www.cbsnews.com/video/amy-sh...
Artist Amy Sherald: The 60 Minutes Interview
Amy Sherald spent years painting in obscurity, and almost died from a rare heart condition. Now 52, the artist behind Michelle Obama's official portrait is one of America's most celebrated painters.
www.cbsnews.com
October 26, 2025 at 6:39 PM
ICYMI: Drop everything and spend 13 minutes with Amy Sherald--with her singular vision and talent, with her clarity about her central place in the jagged American story. You will be stirred by it all. www.cbsnews.com/video/amy-sh...
Reposted by Steven Nelson
