Department of Art Expands Program With New Art History Faculty

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Ana Pulido-Rull

Harvard graduate Ana Pulido-Rull will join the department of art in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences this fall as an assistant professor. An art historian, Pulido-Rull specializes in Mexican art prior to European contact and throughout the colonial period.

While at Harvard, Pulido-Rull served as a teaching assistant in both the art department and the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies. She taught survey-level and graduate classes and led an excursion to Spain for sophomore students. Pulido-Rull has also been a guest lecturer at her alma mater, the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City.

“Dr. Pulido-Rull’s experiences have given her skills that will complement our already outstanding art history program,” said Jeannie Hulen, professor of ceramics and chair of the department. “Her vast knowledge of languages and mapping will bring an interesting new dynamic.”

Pulido-Rull has presented her research at conferences in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, discussing the land-grant policies in New Spain and their impact on local art and architecture. She has published several articles on the topic and won the award for best scientific publication from The College of Mexico. Her research has earned Pulido-Rull nearly a dozen grants and fellowships, including a fellowship from the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board in 2003. 

“It’s an honor to teach for the school that bears the name of the same man that has done so much for international educational exchange,” said Pulido-Rull. “I look forward to working with the art department faculty and becoming part of Fulbright College this fall.”

A native Spanish speaker, Pulido-Rull is fluent in English and French and is capable of reading and translating German and Nahuatl (Aztec). In addition to her impressive language skills, Pulido-Rull is adept at using Geographic Information Systems that she needed to create maps and reference geographic data to support her research. As these systems become more prevalent, knowledge of their use and application will be important for virtually all areas of study, making it a highly valuable skill.

Pulido-Rull earned her bachelor of art in history from the National Autonomous University of Mexico in (2003). She continued her education at Harvard University, earning a master's (2006) and doctorate (2012) in the history of art and architecture.