Caroline Cecilia Karpinski

Caroline Cecilia Karpinski, the only child of Louis (Ludwig) and Madeline (Michalina) Karpinski, was born in New York City, New York on April 13, 1931 and died in Washington, D.C. on February 10, 2024. Caroline earned a bachelor’s degree in Art History and History, masters’ degrees from both Mills College and New York University and a doctorate in Art History from the Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London in 1975.

Well-traveled and fluent in Italian, French and Polish, Caroline became a pathbreaking and renowned scholar. She published articles in prestigious journals, chapters in books, book reviews, bibliographies, and essays in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin. Caroline’s specific expertise was, as she put it, “woodcuts printed in Italy from 1510 to 1750, in colors from superimposed blocks, a technique many artists were attracted to which gave beautiful results.” Her broader topic, however, was how art evolved and contributed to the pursuit of knowledge. (A list of her published contributions is available on Google Scholar.) Caroline spent a decade as a curator in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Print Department.

Caroline was beloved by her family and friends who often enjoyed her wisdom and concerns, arriving in her elegant handwriting, on interesting greeting cards, selected for their design, art or picture. She overcame many health challenges with courage and extraordinary dignity. She was a true intellectual and lived the life of the mind, researching, discussing, and writing about Art and History, until her very last days. She will be deeply and irreplaceably missed by all who enjoyed the pleasure of her company.

Caroline requested a simple cremation. No service is planned at this time.