Sharifa Lookman

Sharifa Lookman is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Art and Archaeology at Princeton University, specializing in the art of early modern Italy. Sharifa received her M.A. in Italian Renaissance Art from Syracuse University in Florence and her B.A. in Art History from Wesleyan University. Focused on sculptural practice in the wake of Giambolognan industry, her doctoral research at Princeton is invested in the status and theoretical potential of the early modern assistant – as ‘invisible technician,’ ‘unoriginal genius,’ and, even, alter ego. It focuses on the figure of Antonio Susini (1558-1624) and seeks to clarify and prioritize his position and labor practices, both within and outside of the workshop, as well as his productive efforts, those ephemeral and still extant. As a fellow at MAP, Sharifa will continue to develop this project, homing in on Susini’s documentary footprint as well as account books, libri di botteghe, and recipe literature, writ large; in doing so, she hopes to ask how we write and recuperate a history of artistic process that prioritizes execution over design.