John Wilmerding, a noted curator, collector, and historian of American art who taught at Princeton for nearly three decades, died June 6 at age 86. After working as deputy director at the National Gallery of Art, he arrived at the University and became a popular teacher, remembered for his engaging lectures and colorful neckties, some of which coordinated with the day’s topic. He chaired the Department of Art and Archaeology from 1992 to 1999. Wilmerding donated art to the institutions he served, including a collection of 19th-century American art now in the National Gallery and about 50 works of Pop Art given to the Princeton University Art Museum in 2007, the year he transferred to emeritus status. In retirement, he advised several museums and wrote columns about art for The Wall Street Journal.
Robert P. Matthews, a longtime photographer whose work appeared frequently in PAW for more than three decades, died May 31 at age 83. Matthews’ subjects included three U.S. presidents during their visits to campus, life inside the University’s laboratories and classrooms, and Princeton football, from the undefeated 1964 season to the final game played at Palmer Stadium in 1996. He retired from the Office of Communications in 1999.