Jeff Fieberg

BIOGRAPHY

Jeffrey Fieberg joined the faculty at Centre College in 2005, was promoted to associate professor of chemistry in 2008, was promoted to full professor in 2017, and was named the John H. Walkup Professor of Chemistry in 2017. 

Fieberg’s current research interests are in technical art historical investigations of modernist paintings and analysis of artists’ materials. Fieberg has twice participated as a Sabbatical Leave Research Fellow in Technical Art History at the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA). Working in the Conservation Science Laboratory directed by Dr. Gregory Smith ’95, technical analyses of paintings from the IMA’s European collection were performed using x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman microspectroscopy, infrared microspectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy.

The paintings analyzed included Mysterious Departure by Giorgio de Chirico, Jupiter with Thunderbolt, attributed to a follower of Jacob Jordans, the Cincinnati Art Museum’s Undergrowth with Two Figures by Vincent van Gogh, the IMA’s Van Gogh, Landscape at Saint-Rémy, and four Gauguin paintings in the IMA’s collection—Still Life with Profile of Laval, Landscape Near Arles, Above the Sea (The Flageolet Player on the Cliff), and Christmas Night (Blessing of the Oxen). With his students, Fieberg also investigates artwork on Centre’s campus, including paintings in the college’s collection. 

Fieberg is a staunch advocate of the transformational experiences gained by studying abroad. As a Centre student, Fieberg studied art, architecture and music in Paris, Florence, Munich, and Amsterdam. Fieberg has led both semester programs and short-term travel courses in Europe. Fieberg co-directed the Centre-in-London program in 2010 and the Centre-in-Strasbourg program for the 2013-14 and 2017-2018 academic years. For the January Centre Terms in 2013, 2017 and 2022, he taught Molecular Modernism: Manet to Matisse as a three-week travel course in Paris and Provence. Fieberg returns to direct the Centre-in-Strasbourg program for the 2022-23 academic year, and he will teach Molecular Modernism in the January 2023 Centre Term. In addition, he accompanied Dr. Joe Workman and Dr. Kerry Paumi’s course on the Physical Science of Volcanoes during Centre Term 2020 in New Zealand.  

Fieberg is an energetic teacher. In his introductory classes, he performs demonstrations almost daily in class. Fieberg’s signature class, Molecular Modernism, is a truly interdisciplinary mix of science and art that he has taught in France and on campus with field trips to Indianapolis and Chicago or Washington D.C. In addition, Fieberg offers Chemical Analysis of Modernist Paintings as an upper-level elective for chemistry majors and minors with a field trip to Chicago and Indianapolis.  

Fieberg is highly active on campus; he has chaired the Division of Science and Mathematics, Chemistry Program, Natural Science Program, and the Committee on Tenure and Reappointment. He has served as a faculty marshal at Centre College events, including Commencement and Opening Convocation. He also serves as the faculty advisor for the social fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Fieberg is active within the Centre College Phi Beta Kappa chapter, normally chairing the Members-in-Course subcommittee. Heavily invested in public engagement, Fieberg frequently performs chemistry demonstration shows at local schools with Centre students.  

EXPERT: Scientific Analyses of Modernist Paintings—Forgery Investigations of Paintings—Chemistry Demonstrations—STEM Study Abroad Courses 

Technical art historical and/or forgery analyses of paintings, including the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists using portable x-ray fluorescence (p-XRF) spectroscopy, reflectance spectroscopy, and infrared reflectography/ transmittography. Use of demonstrations to teach chemical concepts and/or engage the general public. Design and implementation of “Chemistry in Art” STEM study abroad course in Europe. 

AWARDS/GRANTS

• John Walkup Professorship of Chemistry (2017-present)
• Centre Scholar (2014-2016)
• Centre Scholar (2008-2010)
• David F. Hughes Award for Excellence in Teaching and Service (2010)
• Stodghill Research Professorship (2010)
• Named co-Most Dramatic Professor in Kentucky by Kentucky Monthly (2010)
• Outstanding Professor Award from Greek Life (2009)
• Outstanding Professor Award from Greek Life (2008)
• C. Eric Mount, Jr. Student Appreciation Award (2007)
• Kirk Award for Excellence in Teaching (2007)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS

• Phi Beta Kappa
• American Chemical Society, Lexington Bluegrass Section (Vice Chair 2003, Chair-Elect 2004, Chair 2005, Councilor 2008-2010, National Chemistry Week Coordinator, 2005-2012)
• American Institute of Conservation
• International Council of Museums-Committee for Conservation (Friend)
• Project Kaleidoscope Faculty for the 21st Century, Class of 2007
• Sigma Xi
• Kentucky Academy of Sciences
• Omicron Delta Kappa

COURSES TAUGHT

• Molecular Modernism: Manet to Matisse, taught in Paris and Provence, France 
• Molecular Modernism: Manet to Marc, taught in Strasbourg, France 
• Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy 
• Thermodynamics and Kinetics 
• Big Bang: Developing the Evidence 
• General Chemistry I 
• General Chemistry II 
• Chemical Analysis of Modernist Paintings

PUBLICATIONS

Recent Publications (a full list is included in the downloadable CV):

• Jeffrey E. Fieberg, Development and Implementation of Molecular Modernism, a Chemistry and Art Course with Travel Components in France or the United States, book chapter for Contextualizing Chemistry in Art & Archaeology: Inspiration for Instructors for the American Chemical Society Symposium Series eBooks Education Collection, pp. 235-282 (2021).
• Jeffrey E. Fieberg and Gregory D. Smith, Dry Laboratory Forgery Investigation of a Purported Giorgio de Chirico Painting for a Chemistry in Art Course, book chapter for Contextualizing Chemistry in Art & Archaeology: Inspiration for Instructors for the American Chemical Society Symposium Series eBooks Education Collection, pp. 315-356 (2021).
• Kristen D. Fulfer, Erin Wachter, Jennifer L. Muzyka, Leonard T. Demoranville, Jeffrey E. Fieberg, January D. Haile, Daniel Scott, Yang Song, Joe M. Workman, and Karin J. Young, StayCentred: Maintaining Personal Education at Centre College During COVID-19, Journal of Chemical Education, 97, 2783-2787 (2020).
• Jeffrey E. Fieberg, Per Knutas, Kurt Hostettler, and Gregory D. Smith, Paintings fade like flowers: Pigment Analysis and Digital Reconstruction of a Faded Pink Lake Pigment in Vincent van Gogh's Undergrowth with Two Figures, Featured Paper, Applied Spectroscopy, 71, 794-808 (2017).