Seidel Named to New Post at Busch

Linda V. Seidel, lecturer in Fine Arts and Senior Tutor of North House, has been named acting curator of collections at the Busch Resigner Museum, which has had no curator since 1972.

Seidel, who specializes in medieval art, will "assess the intellectual and physical needs of the collections--these haven't been examined for a long time," Daniel J. Robbins, director of the Fogg Art Museum, said last night. He listed as subjects of her research: "what is there, the state of scholarship on it, and possible publication of material accumulated there."

Robbins said that the Busch Reisinger "needs [financial] help" and that Seidel's work will help pinpoint the Museum's specific needs. She will assume the post July 1 and continue for at least one year, Robbins said.

Robbins, who selected Seidel in consultation with the Department of Fine Arts, called her a "gifted medievalist" and said that her experience as a teacher and scholar qualifies her highly for the post.

For the Duration

Seidel's position is a new one and probably will not last beyond the duration of her project, Robbins said. The Busch Reisinger still will have no curator in charge of programs and development, he said, but Seidel will hold the Museum's highest administrative post.

Seidel said last night that she does not know specifically what the job will entail, but plans to begin studying the collections--"to see what passes through the Busch and what needs they have"--within a few weeks.

Assistant

Jonathan D. Fineberg '67, a tutor in Fine Arts and a fellow of the National Endowment for the Arts, will assist Seidel as a museum intern.

Robbins said that Fineberg, who concentrates on early modern German expressionist painting, and Seidel, with her specialty in medieval and Gothic art, will complement each other as curators. The Busch collection includes German art ranging from the late middle ages to the present.

Seidel will continue next year as Senior Tutor in North House in addition to assuming her new post.