Wednesday, March 8, 2023
I don’t remember when I first met Claire—no doubt at some academic conference. She was an older, very well-known scholar of medieval art, and I was a somewhat younger scholar of medieval literature, who had begun to wander into the field of medieval art. Claire and I shared a Russian/Polish Jewish heritage, and we fell easily into friendship and mutual appreciation (though she was, and always will be, way ahead of me as an art historian). She was so kind, and humorous; she was always appreciative and encouraging. I was teaching in the Midwest, but I’d get to meet up with her in D.C. or New York, in the summers or at conferences. I even got to visit with her at her house, and to see and admire Stan’s beautiful bindings.
Over time, as she retired and as I got wound up in academic responsibilities, we fell out of contact—though I never stopped thinking of her—and her books are still on my shelves, within easy reach. I’m very sorry now I didn’t get to connect with her again. I will always remember her with love and gratitude.
