The Iris

About: David Brafman

I've been the rare books curator at the Getty Research Institute since 2002. Before decamping from N.Y. to L.A., I was an adjunct professor in the NYU Classics Department and resident-expert at H.P. Kraus, Rare Books and Manuscripts, one of the world's leading dealers in rare books and manuscripts from the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment. I came to that circuitous career path by getting a Ph.D. in classics and Arabic from Duke University (and the irresistible urge to head straight back to N.Y. the second I finished my doctorate).

Posts by David

Posted in Art, Getty Research Institute, Manuscripts and Books, Research

16th-Century Album Records Social Network of Europeans in Istanbul

By David Brafman | Published: April 17, 2014
Leaf 119 verso and 120 recto from Johann Joachim Prack von Asch’s liber amicorum (book of friends), 1587–1612. The Getty Research Institute, 2013.M.24
Leaf 119 verso and 120 recto from Johann Joachim Prack von Asch’s liber amicorum (book of friends), 1587–1612. The Getty Research Institute, 2013.M.24

Newly acquired “book of friends” provides insight into European contact with the Ottoman Empire. More»

Tagged , , , , Leave a comment
Posted in Art, Manuscripts and Books, Research, Voices

Graffiti Black Book | Getty Voices

By David Brafman | Published: August 13, 2013
LALiberAmicorum_earlymeeting
One of the first looks at some of the pages for the Getty Graffiti Black Book. We examined a few of our special collections volumes to compare illustrations.

A cross-century, cross-community collaboration between L.A. graffiti and tattoo artists—in the tradition of Albrecht Dürer. More»

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , 3 Responses

  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Tumblr

    • photo from Tumblr

      I think it’s very important for museums to do more with children, so that the next generation is interested. Make it fun.

      Something like a playground. A big, artsy playground.

      Polina (@pollyshot), July 14, 2014.

      07/27/14

  • Flickr