Reframing history of art

Philanthropy is reinvigorating history of art at Cambridge, powered by support from donors like Lisa Pan, who is helping students pursue ambitious research and connect the field to today’s urgent questions.

One of the students she is supporting is Miles Fletcher. His PhD research explores how 17th century landscape art shaped, and was shaped by, technological development, systems of knowledge, and power structures.

Thanks to Lisa’s generosity, Miles was able to take up his place at Cambridge, an opportunity that otherwise would have been out of reach.

Here, Lisa and Miles reflect on their individual journeys to history of art at Cambridge and their shared vision for the future of the discipline.

East meets West

Growing up in Hong Kong, Miles encountered the Western world of art during his A levels. “I wasn’t someone who went to the Louvre when they were young and knew that they wanted to be an art historian; this came later.

“If anything, being exposed to painting at an older age brought me closer to art. It made a more lasting impression.”

After honing his skills at the prestigious Courtauld Institute of Art, Miles moved to the Warburg Institute.

“It’s quite a unique institution, formed by a German art historian and later brought to London to protect itself from Nazism.

“I was inspired by the ambition of his work, particularly its vision for interdisciplinarity.

decorative — Miles Fletcher

Miles Fletcher

"Art reaches all aspects of people’s lives, whether it’s painting, literature, music, or architecture.”

The space to be, and to be creative

Miles’ research into the 17th Century Anglo-Dutch world asks how novel scientific ideas and technologies interacted with landscape art. “Landscapes depict, often vividly, our own changing relationship to nature.”

Even before arriving in Cambridge, Miles experienced the University’s belief in him. “The Department arranged for me to do some pre-PhD work in Belgium.

“It was unbelievable; they had invested in me before I had even started. It made me feel valued and determined to pursue my research.”

And he points to evidence that Cambridge values history of art as a discipline.

“By investing in the subject, especially the connections it has with its partners overseas, Cambridge is leading the way in broadening perspectives."

David Valinsky Photography.

A collection of support

Miles has been amazed by his College’s generosity. “Peterhouse even arranged a flat for me and my partner to relocate.

“I was so surprised by the support. Sometimes I cannot believe my luck.’”

In this close-knit College, Miles has found a community. “Being a sacristan for the College chapel is such a unique experience; I get to take part in the services and I’ve made friends too.”

Cambridge’s supportive environment has also encouraged Miles to take on new challenges. “I helped my supervisor to organise a colloquium in my first term.

"I chaired the last session, which was quite daunting!”

But Miles sees these intimidating moments as formative. “Although a big part of the PhD is focusing on your research, socialising and sharing your work with others is an equally important skill.”

Thanks to philanthropic support, the greatest gift Miles has received is having protected time to explore his subject.

“I have always cherished the space to think about things for a long period of time, engage in different interests and work creatively.”

Crucially, the security of the Scholarship has allowed Miles to pursue every opportunity. “The funding helped me to pay for language tuition because I work with Dutch and French material, allowing me to explore the full extent of my research.”

And the funding has given him enhanced confidence in his work.

“It feels special to know that somebody has invested in you, especially when you research quite a niche topic.”

Lambert Doomer, Gezicht vanuit de duinen op het dorpje Schoorl (View from the Dunes of the Village of Schoorl). The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, acc. no. RP-T-1948-400.

A place of infinite resources

At Cambridge, Miles is close to his subject matter.

“The Fitzwilliam Museum is a wonderful place and an amazing resource to have right on your doorstep.”

He also likes to understand the techniques he studies: “Recreating methods of drawing changes the way you think about how art is made.”

Cambridge has also allowed Miles to return to old hobbies. “Peterhouse has a lovely Steinway grand piano; practising helps me to relax.”

Miles values that Cambridge champions a well-rounded ethos.

“Cambridge is a place of seemingly infinite resources, as long as you are willing to get stuck in!”

Looking to the future

Thanks to these academic and extracurricular opportunities, Miles has professional options. “There are many alternative careers I would be fortunate to go into: museums, the art market, academia, private collections, and many more.”

For Miles, the future of the field is already here: “Take the National Gallery: I can look up a work and zoom in on tiny strokes of paint, seeing details I might not have noticed before.”

“Even being able to teach and learn online is expanding who can enjoy art and the range of art people can experience.”

Ultimately, Miles argues, this is the subject’s superpower. "We would do well to the learn the lessons of the painters in how to look, see, and think critically about our visual faculties.”

“History of art is very unusual in its ability to pivot from traditional ways of seeing and make them relevant in how we look at the world today."

Investing in people, expanding a discipline

Through her support, Lisa is enabling students like Miles to broaden history of art’s boundaries.

Born in China, her connection to Cambridge began after her master’s in the UK, when she went on acquire a game company in Cambridge.

“Many of my employees were Cambridge graduates, and I saw how talented and diligent these people were, which was, in part, thanks to the environment Cambridge creates.”

That affinity grew into intellectual involvement when she encountered the History of Art Department through Professor Alex Marr. “He invited me to visit the National Gallery, which gave me the opportunity to explore Western art.”

Lisa’s interactions with the History of Art Department at Cambridge showed her that discipline was expansive and forward-looking.

This aligns with her view that an interdisciplinary, international community is essential.

“Music and art know no borders, and technology is providing a way of further overcoming these barriers.”

That’s why she champions the well-rounded approach at Cambridge. “In an age of AI, academic achievement is important, but people also need knowledge spanning general subjects, and having a combination of skills is all the more vital.”

This freedom to explore motivates her to support studentships. “I want students to not just survive but be able to develop their skills and pursue their interests fully.”

Each student she supports represents much more than individual success.

“This research will contribute to the overall study of history of art and the way it fits into the modern day, which will benefit the next generation.”

Together, Lisa and Miles demonstrate how history of art is evolving, not only as a discipline but in how it helps us to understand a rapidly changing world.

Philanthropy is vital for the future of PhD research at Cambridge. In a uniquely interdisciplinary and collegiate environment, student at Cambridge explore urgent questions and generate new ways of understanding the world.

With continued support, Cambridge research is ensuring the next generation of academics, like Miles, will help to lead this innovation.