Dr. Hector Reyes

Biography

Hector Reyes is an Associate Professor (Teaching) in Art History at USC Dornsife. His research focuses on canonical figures in artistic practice theory, particularly concerning 17th-19th century European art. He investigates the relationships between French artists and their theoretical frameworks, challenging conventional narratives surrounding early modern Classicism and antiquarianism. Reyes's work reveals how these artists consciously engaged with classical antiquity, bridging the gap between the 'Ancients' and 'Moderns'. His book projects, 'Poussin Tradition Autonomous Painting' and 'Methodical Fire: Stoic Physics Zeno Baudelaire', offer fresh perspectives on canonical French paintings and the evolving histories of artistic expression. These projects underscore his commitment to understanding the foundational histories of Modernism and articulate the development of autonomous painting within the French Academic tradition. Reyes has also co-authored works exploring long-standing theories of art practice and their implications, especially from the Hellenistic period to the 19th century.

Research Interests