Hans Janssen Prize
Since 1992, the Göttingen Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Lower Saxony has awarded the Hans Janssen Prize for research in the field of European art history, with particular emphasis on Italy. The prize is awarded every two years from the funds of a foundation that the Academy owes to the art historian Hans Janssen, who passed away in 1989.
The prize recognises outstanding scholarly work that has either already been published or is ready for publication. This may include doctoral dissertations or habilitation theses. The prize is intended to promote early-career researchers who are no older than 40 at the time of the award ceremony.
The call for applications is issued every two years and communicated to the deans of art history faculties and departments at German-speaking universities. Self-nominations may also be submitted directly to the Academy, accompanied by letters of reference and a statement outlining the applicant’s academic background.
On the recommendation of an examination committee and with the approval of the plenary, the Humanities and Social Sciences Class of the Academy decides on the award of the prize.
Recipients
2024
Dr Saskia Quené, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, for her dissertation “Goldgrund und Perspektive. Fra Angelico im Glanz des Quattrocento” [Gold Ground and Perspective: Fra Angelico in the Brilliance of the Quattrocento].
Dr Lilla Mátyók-Engel, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, for her dissertation “Innovation und Tradition. Die Gestaltung von Objekten und ihr ritueller Gebrauch in der Bruderschaft der Hl. Katharina von Siena in Rom (1519-1630)” [Innovation and Tradition. The Design of Objects and Their Ritual Use in the Brotherhood of St Catherine of Siena in Rome (1519–1630)].
2022
Dr Tobias Weißmann, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, for his dissertation “Kunst, Klang, Musik. Die Festkultur der europäischen Mächte im barocken Rom” [Art, Sound, Music. The Festival Culture of the European Powers in Baroque Rome].
2020
Dr Jana Graul, for her work “Invidia als Künstlerlaster. Neid in Kunst und Kunstliteratur der Frühen Neuzeit” [Invidia as an Artistic Vice. Envy in Art and Art Literature of the Early Modern Period].
Anna Magnago-Lampugnani, for her work “Der begeisterte Künstler. Vorstellungen künstlerischer Eingebung in der Frühen Neuzeit” [The Enthusiastic Artist. Concepts of Artistic Inspiration in the Early Modern Period].
2018
Isabella Augart, for her work “Rahmenbilder. Konfigurationen der Verehrung im frühneuzeitlichen Italien” [Image Frames. Configurations of Veneration in Early Modern Italy].
Dr Armin Bergmeier, for his work “Visionserwartung. Visualisierung und Präsenzerfahrung des Göttlichen in der Spätantike” [Expectation of Vision. Visualisation and the Experience of Divine Presence in Late Antiquity].
2016
Robert Skwirblies, for his work “‘Questa roba farebbe figura in Germania!’ Altitalienische Gemälde in Preußen 1797-1830. Studien zu Kunstverständnis und Kulturpolitik, Handelsbeziehungen und Personennetzwerken im nachrevolutionären Europa” [‘Questa roba farebbe figura in Germania!’ Early Italian Paintings in Prussia 1797-1830. Studies on Concepts of Art, Cultural Policy, Trade Relations, and Personal Networks in Post-Revolutionary Europe].
2014
Dr Christine Beese, for her work “Neue Horizonte im Städtebau – Die Form der Stadt bei Marcello Piacentini (1881-1960)” [New Horizons in Urban Design – The Form of the City in the Work of Marcello Piacentini (1881–1960)].
Simone Bader, for her work “Moderne in Afrika. Asmara – Die Konstruktion einer italienischen Kolonialstadt (1886-1941)” [Modernity in Africa. Asmara – The Construction of an Italian Colonial City (1886–1941)].
2012
Dr Katja Burzer, for her work “San Carlo Borromeo. Konstruktion und Inszenierung eines Heiligenbildes im Spannungsfeld zwischen Mailand und Rom” [San Carlo Borromeo. Construction and Staging of a Saint’s Image in the Tension between Milan and Rome].
Prof Johannes Grave, for his work “Architekturen des Sehens – Bauten in Bildern des Quattrocento” [Architectures of Seeing – Buildings in Images of the Quattrocento].
2010
Dr Marieke von Bernstorff, for her work “Agent und Maler als Akteure im Kunstbetrieb des frühen 17. Jahrhunderts. Giovan Battista und Bartolomeo Cavarozzi” [Agent and Painter as Actors in the Art World of the Early 17th Century. Giovan Battista and Bartolomeo Cavarozzi].
Dr Kristin Böse, for her work “Gemalte Heiligkeit – Bilderzählungen neuer Heiliger in der italienischen Kunst des 14. und 15. Jahrhunderts” [Painted Holiness – Narrative Images of New Saints in Italian Art of the 14th and 15th Centuries].
2008
Dr habil. Monika Melters, for her work “Die Kolossalordnung. Studien zum Palastbau in Italien und Frankreich zwischen 1420 und 1670” [The Colossal Order. Studies on Palace Architecture in Italy and France between 1420 and 1670].
2006
Dr Christian Hecht, for his book “Die Glorie. Begriff, Thema, Bildelement in der europäischen Sakralkunst vom Mittelalter bis zum Ausgang des Barock” [The Glory. Concept, Theme, Image Element in European Sacred Art from the Middle Ages to the Late Baroque].
2004
Dr Annelies Amberger, for her work “Giordano Orsinis Uomini Famosi in Rom” [Giordano Orsini’s Uomini Famosi in Rome].
Dr Martin Gaier, for his work “Facciate Sacre a Scopo Profano” [Sacred Facades for a Profane Purpose].
2002
Dr Anna Schreurs-Morét, for her work “Antikenbild und Kunstanschauungen des neapolitanischen Malers, Architekten und Antiquars Pirro Ligorio” [Images of Antiquity and Artistic Concepts in the Work of the Neapolitan Painter, Architect, and Antiquarian Pirro Ligorio].
2000
Dr Damian Dombrowski, for his work “Giuliano Finelli. Bildhauer zwischen Neapel und Rom” [Giuliano Finelli. A Sculptor between Naples and Rome].
Dr Valeska von Rosen, for her work “Künstlerische Mimesis in Historiengemälden Tizians. Studien zu Theorie und Praxis der venezianischen Renaissancemalerei” [Artistic Mimesis in Titian’s History Paintings. Studies on Theory and Practice in Venetian Renaissance Painting].
1998
Dr Nicole Riegel, for her work “Santa Maria presso San Celso in Mailand” [Santa Maria presso San Celso in Milan].
1996
Dr Robert Stalla, for his work “Borromini und die Sapienza. Architektur – Wissenschaft – Politik im Römischen Seicento” [Borromini and the Sapienza. Architecture – Science – Politics in Roman Seicento].
Frank Fehrenbach, for his work “Licht und Wasser. Zur Dynamik naturphilosophischer Leitbilder im Werk Leonardo da Vincis” [Light and Water. On the Dynamics of Natural-Philosophical Models in the Work of Leonardo da Vinci].
1994
Dr Werner Jacobsen, for his work “Die Maler von Florenz zu Beginn der Renaissance” [The Painters of Florence at the Beginning of the Renaissance].
1992
Dr Georg Satzinger, for his work “Antonio da Sangallo der Ältere und die Madonna di San Biagio bei Montepulciano” [Antonio da Sangallo the Elder and the Madonna di San Biagio near Montepulciano].