Spotlights
Spotlights are where Avevum will look to recognise the incredible achievements by SLU-Madrid's very own staff and students, both prior and current, within the History field.
Spotlights are where Avevum will look to recognise the incredible achievements by SLU-Madrid's very own staff and students, both prior and current, within the History field.
Interviewer: Bradley Mollmann (Assistant Professor of History, SLU-Madrid)
Aevum is delighted to congratulate SLU-Madrid History Major Adela Corral, who has been awarded the inaugural Denis Menjot Prize for Outstanding Undergraduate Paper on Iberian History for her essay Sofonisba Anguissola: Reinforcing the Feminine, Breaking Barriers, and Showing History Through Art.
This marks the first annual award of the prize, which is presented by the Saint Louis University Center for Iberian Historical Studies (CIHS). Founded in 2023, the CIHS bridges the Missouri and Madrid campuses to promote the study of Iberian History at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional level. Since its founding, the CIHS has hosted lectures, seminars, conferences, and served as a collaborative platform for innovative approaches to Iberian History.
The prize was established by means of a generous endowment from Prof. Teofilio Ruiz (UCLA), in memory of the distinguished French historian Denis Menjot (1948-2024). An expert in the history of Muslim and Christian Spain and the Mediterranean, Menjot is known for his contributions to the history of languages, food cultures, and the practice of digital humanities. His career reflected a commitment to scholarly openness and interdisciplinary exchange that the CIHS honors with this prize.
Adela´s essay was chosen from a competitive field of submissions from both campuses for this prestigious prize. Centered on the Italian-born female Renaissance Painter Sofonisba Anguissola who rose to prominence in Madrid at the court of Philip II, Adela’s research explores how Anguissola navigated gender and power dynamics to overcome odds and establish herself as one of the most successful painters of her generation. She wrote the essay as part of her HIST 3090 Age of Renaissance course at SLU Madrid, and it has been published in Aevum in its entirety. (See "Articles" tab above for access to the published essay)
Here, in an exclusive interview, Adela reflects on her essay and the award:
Bradley Mollmann: Adela, congrats on the much-deserved award! Can you describe what drew you to Sofonisba Anguissola and what you found to be most interesting about her life and career?
Adela Corral: Thank you so much, Dr. Mollmann! I am honored to receive this award. I discovered Sofonisba Anguissola in the Prado Museum. I saw her portrait of Spanish King Philip II and noticed that it was not only painted by a woman, which was extremely rare at the time, but that her name was not Spanish.
As I investigated further, I realized that her life and some of her other art was proto-feminist. She depicted men in private spaces and women in intellectual endeavors, something quite unique for that time period! I was impressed by her repertoire and wanted to see how she ended up working in King Phillip II’s court. The essay centered around the timeline of her career and life story.
What fascinated me most about Sofonisba Anguissola was the duality she embodied. While she challenged artistic conventions and pushed boundaries for women, she also upheld the traditional Renaissance values of supporting monarchies, being a devout Catholic, and taking pride in social status. This complex balance between breaking barriers and upholding norms made her life and career compelling to study.
It was not surprising that her contributions to art were attributed to other Spanish artists like Francisco de Zurbarán. It was only in the twentieth century that art historians realized that these pieces were actually done by Sofonisba Anguissola. Her legacy and history were forgotten. I wanted to revive her legacy as a phenomenal artist and a woman who managed to contribute to Italian and Spanish society in a plethora of ways.
BM: This award focuses on Iberian History. How do you see your research as contributing to Iberian History?
AC: Understanding the distinction between Spanish/Portugese history and Iberian history is crucial. Iberian history offers a broader, more global perspective. The significance of the region’s deep history lies in how its legacy impacts all of Europe, it transcends borders.
Approaching art from a denationalized perspective is key to appreciate the entirety of its significance. Labelling artworks as purely Spanish or Portuguese limits their broader context and importance by confining them to a single nation’s narrative.
The life and work of Sofonisba Anguissola exemplify the cultural exchange at the heart of Iberian history. Her Italian background, intersecting with Spanish nationalism and Habsburg ideals, produced art that defines perceptions of political ideology, religion, and gender in the period.
Iberian history is a pivotal part of European History, and in this essay, King Philip II was a crucial part of cultural patronage, development of the arts, and transnational relations in Europe. Let’s not forget he was also a patron of other artists like El Greco, who was not even born in Spain, although people see him as a national emblem…he was actually born in Greece!
BM: Can you talk a bit more about your academic trajectory as a History major? How does this essay build upon work that you have done in other courses?
AC: I have been a history major since my second semester of university. I decided to major in this discipline because I actually find it really fun! The readings and research in my history courses are intellectually stimulating and make me think critically. I never thought that by doing something I find fun, I could win an award and have two papers published in AEVUM.
Having the opportunity to take a diverse range of courses at SLU-Madrid has been pivotal in my academic trajectory. I have been in constant learning and finding new points of interest for my research. Sometimes we like to stay in our comfort zone, and mine personally is Latin American history. However, there are courses like The Age of the Renaissance, that pushed me to discover more about the world of European history
In these classes, you are challenged to explore new subjects with unfamiliar sources, names, and dates. You have to build up knowledge faster to conduct your own research. This time I needed to do extensive research because I lacked prior understanding of the artist.
In addition, my background in political science and women & gender studies helped me grasp Sofonisba Anguissola’s historical context in Italian and Spanish society. This interdisciplinary approach, that I get from studying other majors, lets me create a well-rounded analysis.
Septmeber 18th, 2025
The Aevum team and the history department are proud to announce that Sean Rivero graduated magna cum laude in December 2024. Sean earned his degree in History with a minor in International Business. As an undergraduate student Sean was a founding member of Aevum, was pivotal for creating the first website, and led the project in a variety of ways. Sean also received the honor of being asked to speak at the December 2024 commencement ceremony. Sean is looking to pursue a master’s in International Affairs.
Sean will be greatly missed and on the SLU-Madrid campus and in the history department in particular. Luckily, he will continue to work with Aevum and help move the project forward. We are thankful that Sean will continue to play a role in our small but growing History Department! Congratulations!
January 28th, 2025
The student staff and faculty wish to congratulate SLU-Madrid alumna and Aevum editor on this new chapter in her life!
At SLU-MO, she is pursuing her PhD in Early Modern European History, with a minor field in World History. Her advisor, Fabien Montcher, PhD, is the director of the Center for Iberian Historical Studies (CIHS),and she will return to SLU-Madrid in March to engage with the national archives and local specialists. Her current research projects explore psychological aspects of the Spanish Inquisition, foreign administration in colonial Mexico and Peru, and invasions in medieval Spain. Outside of coursework, Dackerie enjoys serving as an editor for SLU's new undergraduate journal Aevum, meeting with a Spanish paleography and language exchange group, working as a graduate research assistant for Lorri Glover, PhD, speaking about her experience at SLU-Madrid at events for prospective students and their families, spending time with her colleagues, and enjoying the many things that living in St. Charles/St. Louis offers!
January 25th, 2025
Aveum is happy to recognise the announcement of the promotion of History Professor Bradley Mollmann to the rank of full-time Assistant Professor.
Doctor Mollmann is adored by the students who take his courses. He cultivates a safe and welcoming environment in all his classrooms and ensures that every student feels respected and heard. Doctor Mollmann is always trying to innovate in the classroom and find new ways of teachings to ensure everyone is engaged. There is no better example of this than his recently implemented, Reacting to the Past Historical Role Playing games, which has been the rave around campus.
Doctor Mollmann, attended Ohio Northern University where he earned his B.A in History. He would then go on to achieve a Masters in History at Miami University as well as a Ph.D in HIstory at Tulane University. With interests in Early Modern Spain, the Mediterranean and Atlantic World, History of Religion and History of Science and Medicine, Doctor Mollmann’s expertise constantly shines through during his lectures. The SLU community and History department cannot be more excited for Doctor Mollmann. We are all very eager to see what new and exciting ideas he brings to the classroom.
July 19th, 2024
This past May, Lau Dodd, one of Saint Louis University - Madrid Campus’ best and brightest graduated. Lau was a pillar in the SLU community, having taken on the role as President for both the History Club and the LGTBQ+ Club, Lau left SLU - Madrid better in more ways than one than they found it. Beloved by all their history professors, it is bittersweet to see Lau moving on from our small but tight-knit SLU community of historians.
We would also like to highlight that Lau graduated with the award “Academic Excellence in History.” It is an award that could not have gone to anyone more deserving of such an achievement. Lau is looking to use their History degree to pursue a career in public history such as working in museums. They are currently volunteering at the Fort Croghan Museum in Texas. We can't wait to see what incredible things Lau does in the future!
May 18th, 2024
Aevum and Saint Louis University–Madrid wish to congratulate our very own, Professor Almudena Olondo, on achieving the incredible milestone of thirty-five years of teaching here within the History Department at the Madrid Campus.
Professor Olondo studied at one of Spain’s most prestigious universities, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Complutense University of Madrid). During her time at the Complutense, Professor Olondo received her undergraduate degree in Geography and History and would go on to achieve a Doctorate in Ancient History. Her areas of interest are: Hellenistic Greece, ancient Near East, ancient Egypt, 20th-century women, modern women's studies.
Professor Olondo is a pillar within the History Department here at SLU-Madrid. All the incredible work Professor Olondo has accomplished and her commitment to the university, to her colleagues and her students will forever be etched into the history of SLU-Madrid. Her presence has brightened the halls of campus for over three decades. SLU-Madrid will forever be in her debt for her outstanding contributions to our university.
Congratulations Professor Olondo on thirty-five years of teaching!