In Honor of David Rosand CC’59, GSAS’65
A revered scholar of Italian Renaissance art, the late Meyer Schapiro Professor of Art History Emeritus David Rosand CC’59, GSAS’65 left an indelible mark on the Department of Art History and Archeology, and his field more broadly. During his nearly five decades at the University, he produced groundbreaking research on the paintings of Titian and other aspects of Venetian culture, including woodcuts and drawings. He also played a key role in the acquisition of Casa Muraro, Columbia’s Study Center in Venice.
Rosand, who joined the faculty in 1964, twice was chair of his department, 1981–84 and 1990–94, and was director of Art Humanities 1996–97. Himself a gifted artist, he also undertook fundraising efforts to ensure the continued teaching of non-Western art at Columbia, now a hallmark and defining forte of the department.
On a fall afternoon in Schermerhorn Hall, in the very space where Rosand flourished, his elder son, Dr. Jonathan Rosand CC’88, PS’94, recalled his father’s devotion to art history at Columbia: “My father grew up in the department,” he says. “He cherished it and took care of it. He felt very committed to making it grow, making it better. He took great pride that it is considered the best [art history] department in the country.”
Such is Rosand’s legacy that following his passing on August 8, 2014, his family, friends, students and colleagues came together to honor his memory by raising funds for an endowed professorship in his name. The lead gift of $1 million toward the David Rosand Professorship, which will be dedicated to the study of Italian Renaissance art, came from Don and Sally Anderson, longtime friends of Rosand and his widow, Ellen.
“The commitment of David’s friends and colleagues to this endeavor has been nothing short of miraculous,” says Ellen Rosand. “No doubt it would have shocked, embarrassed and pleased him tremendously.”
Sally Anderson traces her close bond with the Rosands back to 1962, when they met serendipitously at a trattoria in Florence, Italy. The encounter began a decades-long friendship built on their mutual love of art and art history. Anderson fondly recalled a “magnificent wedding present” – a personal tour of Rosand’s favorite Venetian sites.
The contributions towards the professorship notably included a $1.5 million gift from Bob Berne CC’60, BUS’62, part of a $5 million bequest to the Core to Commencement campaign. Berne and Rosand first met as art history majors. “We shared an interest in the major, only he was good at it,” Berne jokes.
While they went in different directions after graduation — Berne had a successful career in real estate — their bond grew when their sons, Alex Berne and Eric Rosand LAW’95, became friends while attending the Ethical Culture Fieldston School in the Bronx.
“I wanted some of what I was contributing [to the College] to go toward the Department of Art History and Archeology,” says Berne. “The timing and our knowledge of and relationship with the [Rosand] family made it a perfect storm.”
Says Eric Rosand, “To think that Bob’s commitment and devotion to my dad’s legacy is at all inspired by my friendship with his son is touching.”
Rosand himself had begun raising funds for a professorship at Columbia devoted to the Italian Renaissance. His family, who describes him as an unassuming man who never sought the spotlight, believes it’s nonetheless fitting for his wish to take shape as a tribute.
“This was a home for him and a place where he was able to teach the things he loved, develop relationships with students — which were, for him, immensely nourishing — and friendships with colleagues, of whom I often heard him talk about at the dinner table with pleasure and a smile,” says Jonathan Rosand. “To have his name permanently associated with the department is very special.”