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Katie Kresser, Ph.D.

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Katie is a Professor of Art History at Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, Washington. Originally from Indiana, Katie earned her undergraduate degree from Indiana University, and her graduate degrees from Harvard University. She is the author of two books and several scholarly essays and has curated numerous exhibitions. She lives in the Seattle neighborhood of Ballard with her husband and two kids, where she enjoys walking, beachcombing and making music. She is continually fascinated by the human creative process and its capacity to open windows onto the spiritual.

Blog Post by Katie Kresser, Ph.D.

Katie Kresser, Ph.D.10 min read

Square and Circle: Deep Structures in Christian Art

An exploration of the symbolism in Christian art of both the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.
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Katie Kresser, Ph.D.5 min read

A Brave New Love: Aldous Huxley, C.S. Lewis and St. Valentine

Aldous Huxley, C.S. Lewis, and St. Valentine have many lessons on love in their works and lives. Discover them here!
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Katie Kresser, Ph.D.3 min read

Hourglass: For the New Year

At this time of annual beginnings, the hourglass strikes Prof. Katie Kresser with a different meaning: as a metaphor for all of history.
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Katie Kresser, Ph.D.7 min read

A Witness to the Christmas Crib: The Church of Saint Mary Major

The Christmas crib at the Church of Saint Mary is a constant reminder that in the Christian faith, God became a little child.
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Katie Kresser, Ph.D.4 min read

Thanksgiving, Gratitude, and the Existence of God  

The American Thanksgiving is only one of many similar annual celebrations—all giving us time to reflect and show gratitude towards the Divine.
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Katie Kresser, Ph.D.5 min read

Art and Philosophy: Plastic Surgery and Pop Art

Pop art is usually used to please the eyes of society, but here, Dr. Kresser presents the argument that the only eyes we need to satisfy are God's.
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Katie Kresser, Ph.D.6 min read

Philosophy and Culture: Always in Style

Katie Kresser begins her new series, focused on philosophy and culture, by analyzing the debate between Meyer Schapiro and Ernst Gombrich on style.
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Katie Kresser, Ph.D.7 min read

Art for the Ages: Girl With a Pearl Earring

Learn how Girl With a Pearl Earring is the epitome of beauty by expressing God’s creative dynamism and participating in the creative principles of nature.
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Katie Kresser, Ph.D.8 min read

Art for the Ages: The Sistine Chapel and Universal Truth

The Sistine Chapel is a Renaissance masterpiece. Here Dr. Kresser seeks to answer a few of the many questions about the great tourist attraction.
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Katie Kresser, Ph.D.6 min read

Art for the Ages: Da Vinci’s Last Supper

A Look at Leonardo da Vinci's 'Last Supper' and an answer to the question: does art have universal resonance?
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Katie Kresser, Ph.D.7 min read

Art for the Ages: A New Perspective

In her latest 'Art for the Ages' installment, Dr. Kresser looks at different forms of art to warn us against the belief that new is better.
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Katie Kresser, Ph.D.5 min read

Art for the Ages: Botticelli and the Divine Human

Dr. Katie Kresser explores the work of Sandro Botticelli and what it means to be made in the image of God.
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