Temple Art History Undergrad Looks to the Past

For Jeffrey Trafidlo, 22, art is not a current affair, but a matter of the past.

The full-time senior studying art history at Temple University plans to enter Temple University Graduate School next spring to explore his passion for art and academia.

Trafidlo, a native of Princeton, N.J., aspires to receive a Ph.D. because he wants to become an art history professor and research Northern Baroque and Italian art, he said, sitting in the kitchenette of his on-campus apartment.

Trafidlo currently works at the Temple Art Gallery in Philadelphia, Pa., where his responsibilities include writing artist biographies for exhibits and working with various curators and artists.

Although Trafidlo’s experience working in a gallery has been fun and fulfilling, it has taught him that he does not plan to open his own gallery or work in a museum.

“I want to focus more on the academic side,” Trafidlo said, resting his fist on his beard, while fingering through his shoulder-length brown hair.

Trafidlo’s interest in academic research stems from his discontent with the conceptualization characteristic of contemporary art. As his analysis of art first begins with the sensual, it makes sense that his taste favors artists like Rubens and Caravaggio, which are known for their aesthetic appeal and masterful detail.

Trafidlo’s additional job as a research assistant for Dr. Jane Evans of Temple University’s Art History department caters to his focus in research and academia, he said.

Although Trafidlo feels secure with his future plans, he was not always so confident. He first entered college as an electrical engineering major at Drexel University, but decided to pursue art history after realizing that science and math were not his strengths.

“I realized that I wanted to not think about monetary gains. I wanted to do something that I loved,” Trafidlo said.

Manna Pourrezaei