Along with the entire university community and the broader intellectual world, I am deeply saddened over Jonathan Riess' passing. A New Yorker, he gave his professional life to us Cincinnatians and, thereby, enriched our vision of the art world.
Dr. Riess always showed himself to be a true scholar by his brilliant lectures with their profound intellectual depth, as well as their recognition of the minutest details of the works of painting and sculpture he considered. His books, essays and articles on the art of the Italian Renaissance received worldwide acceptance. He served as a consultant of the Cincinnati Art Museum.
Always the true gentleman, Dr. Riess graciously looked after the needs and fostered the interest of all of his students. Even though I am an older student, he gave me the same encouragement and attention that he showed to the younger students. He was respectful and gentle with me and with everyone when we answered in class and when we submitted our work for criticism.
Additionally, Jonathan Riess often surprised his students by bringing to class several boxes of doughnuts or cookies for us to enjoy while probing such esoteric matters as the perspective study of Paolo Ucello or the iconography in Domenico Veneziano's "Adoration of the Magi." Parties for us at his lovely Walnut Hills home always proved delightful.
For the remainder of my life, whenever I look at a work of the Italian Renaissance, I will recall Jonathan Riess's observations, as well as his kind ways.
May the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob receive Jonathan into his everlasting dwelling, and may this dwelling have on its walls striking images done by Leonardo, Raphael and Michaelangelo, along with, of course, a well-formed statue done by Donatello in some prominent place.
Jane Beck Sansalone
Cincinnati
