Darcy's work on race, colonialism, and labor in the context of nineteenth century art has heavily inspired the

direction in which I hope to take my work. I had the pleasure of meeting her and attending her lecture on Manet's Execution of Maximillian, which not only exposed me to incredible insights into the work of my favorite artist, but also exemplified the kind of art historian that I hope to become. Whitney Davis's theoretical work has also been important in my academic development, and has constantly pushed me to stretch my theoretical and philosophical limbs, so to speak. The department's commitment to enabling cross-disciplinary approaches also makes it a great fit for me, as my interdisciplinary background will continue to inspire my multiple paths of thinking.