Daniela Bleichmar: Rewriting the History of the Spanish Conquest
Daniela Bleichmar’s Innovative Approach to History
Daniela Bleichmar, an assistant professor at the University of Southern California, is challenging traditional approaches to historical research. Bleichmar believes that images can be just as valuable as texts in understanding the past.
Botanical Drawings as a Window to the Past
Bleichmar’s research focuses on botanical drawings created during Spanish expeditions to the New World. These drawings, which depict thousands of plants and flowers, provide a unique glimpse into the European scientific community of the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries.
Images as Primary Sources
Traditionally, historians have relied primarily on written texts as sources of information. However, Bleichmar argues that images can also be valuable primary sources. By examining these botanical drawings, she has gained insights into how naturalists and artists working for the Spanish Crown surveyed flora in America and how their images helped the empire in its search for valuable resources.
The Interdisciplinary Nature of Bleichmar’s Work
Bleichmar’s work is highly interdisciplinary, drawing on history, art history, and science. She sees connections between these fields that other scholars often overlook. For example, she has shown how the omissions in botanical drawings—of indigenous people and wider landscapes—reflect the colonizers’ attitudes towards the colonized.
Bleichmar’s Impact on the Field
Bleichmar’s innovative approach to history has had a significant impact on the field. She has helped to bridge the gap between art history and the history of science. Her work has also inspired other scholars to consider the importance of images in historical research.
Bleichmar’s Teaching at USC
At USC, Bleichmar teaches courses on Renaissance art and the history of luxury goods. Her courses are known for their interdisciplinary approach and their focus on the connections between art, history, and culture.
Personal Background
Daniela Bleichmar was born in Argentina and raised in Mexico City. She earned her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and her PhD from Princeton University. Before joining USC, she held a postdoctoral fellowship at the USC-Huntington Early Modern Studies Institute.
Malcolm Baker’s Influence on the Art History Curriculum
Malcolm Baker, the former chair of the art history department at USC, played a key role in shaping Bleichmar’s career. Baker was committed to expanding the curriculum beyond traditional art history topics. He saw in Bleichmar an ideal candidate to bring new perspectives to the department.
Bleichmar’s Legacy
Daniela Bleichmar is a rising star in the field of history. Her innovative approach to research and teaching is inspiring a new generation of scholars to think more broadly about the past. Her work is helping to rewrite the history of the Spanish conquest and to shed new light on the connections between art, history, and science.
