John Letizi '09
Major: Art History
Minor: Mathematics
Inspired heavily by the art history courses he took in his freshman year, John Letizi departed from his original plan to major in biology and declared art history as his major. “I just decided that I love it and that this is what I am going to do.”
Letizi is confident that a degree in art history is the right path for him. ”The goal of attending a liberal arts college is to gain a broad base of knowledge, and art history provides this for me. I have found that my core classes are tied to art—I have been exposed to a number of disciplines, including philosophical movements and historical events, based on the art created during that time. ”
Minoring in mathematics is a refreshing balance for Letizi, because there are absolute answers at the end of an equation, as opposed to the subjective arguments you must build while researching art. “Math is a great supplement to art history— many mathematical formulas can be found in nature. In fact, fractal analysis was used to confirm the authenticity of Jackson Pollack paintings. He continues, “as I progressed in my coursework, everything merged, which is what I would expect would be the experience at a good liberal arts college.”
Letizi studied in Madrid in the fall of his junior year where he visited the Prado Museum weekly through class visits. “It was challenging because the courses are taught in Spanish, so it was an adjustment to listen and take notes in another language. But you adapt quickly when you are immersed in the culture like I was.”
At Boston College, Letizi believes the greatest advantage for an art history major is the intimate size of the department. “As a student, you are really fortunate to get to know all of the faculty on a personal basis. Because your advisor knows you well and really cares about you and your growth, you receive constructive recommendations that can really enhance your studies .”
Letizi also cites the extensive electronic resources available on campus as a great benefit, as they offer students access to important art journals and thousands of digital images. “As I explore the parallels between the work of architectural contemporaries Frank Lloyd Wright and Alvar Aalto for my thesis, the resources at Boston College have really helped me to gain an understanding of the different purposes and motives behind these architects who share similar aesthetics--Whereas Wright designs his buildings to his own genius and for his own purpose, Aalto approaches his work in a more humanistic way, paying heed to the functional needs of his clients. “
The McMullen Museum of Art, the University art museum, is a great resource where classes regularly take advantage of world-class exhibitions. “In one of my courses, we discussed psychoanalytic approaches to art related to the Rouault exhibition on view and were able to experience examples of art first-hand that applied this theory. “
Beyond campus, students find that the city of Boston greatly enhances the study of fine arts. Letizi appreciates access to institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts and the Institute of Contemporary Art, as well as the spectrum of historic buildings at his disposal for architectural study. “Based on my projects in my architectural coursework, I have had the opportunity to sketch and research individual buildings, which has been a great way to learn more about the city.”
Letizi plans to attend graduate school in the future, but immediately following graduation he is looking to secure a position in art criticism or museum curatorship. As a senior looking back, he concludes, “My time at Boston College has really stretched me as a student and afforded me the opportunity to find a career path I didn’t plan on but am completely enthusiastic about pursuing.”