Baird, Joseph Armstrong

Born 1922. Professor of Art History at the University of California, Davis.

Professor Emeritus, Department of Art, University of California, Davis.

Biography

Joseph Armstrong Baird, Jr. was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1922. He began his studies in art history at Oberlin College where he received a bachelor's degree and then attended Harvard University where he first earned a master's degree and finally a doctorate in art and architectural history in 1951. He taught at the University of Toronto (1949-1953) before coming to Davis in 1953. Beginning as a lecturer in the Art Department, he retired as a full professor of fine arts in 1985. He continued to work as a consultant and art appraiser until his death in 1992.

From 1962-1963 and 1967-1970, he was curator and art consultant to the California Historical Society. Traveling widely, he also taught at other institutions, including a visiting professorship at the University of Mexico under the auspices of the U.S. State Department. He was the founder and long-time owner of The North Point Gallery in San Francisco, which specialized in master works by American artists and rare historical photographs, until it was sold in 1985. While he was teaching at Davis, he helped develop art history programs, organize exhibitions, and develop the art collection on campus.

Selected Bibliography

Biographical/Historical Note

Joseph Armstrong Baird, Jr. was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1922. He received his B.A. from Oberlin College in 1945 and an M.A. and a Ph.D from Harvard University in 1947 and 1951. His area of expertise was in Californian and Mexican art and architecture.

Baird taught at the University of Toronto from 1949-1953. He then taught at the University of California at Davis from 1953-1985. Baird also served as a visiting professor at the University of Mexico, the University of Southern California, and at the University of Oregon.

Baird worked extensively in museum settings. During the 1960's and early 70's, Baird worked as art curator and later as art consultant for the California Historical Society in San Francisco.

From 1972-1985, Baird was founder and owner of the North Point Gallery in San Francisco which specialized in works by American artists and rare photographs. Some of his published works include The Churches of Mexico 1530-1810, 1962, Time's Wondrous Changes: San Francisco Architecture 1776-1915, 1962, and The West Remembered: Artists and Images 1837-1973, 1973, as well as numerous articles, reviews, and exhibition catalogues.

In 1985, Baird retired from teaching and sold the North Point Gallery. He died at the age of 70 in Tiburon, California in 1992.