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Fordham University

IRMA JAFFE Obituary

JAFFE--Irma B.,

a distinguished art historian, died at 101 years after a period of declining health on January 3, 2018 at her home in New York City. She graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Columbia University's School of General Studies, and earned her PhD in Art History at Columbia. Having served as research curator at the Whitney Museum, she went on to develop the Fine Arts Department at Fordham University where she served as Chair until her retirement. Professor Jaffe organized symposia on "Baroque Art: The Jesuit Contribution" and "The Italian Presence in American Art" that led to published books. A prolific author on American and Italian art, she published books on John Trumbull, Leonard Baskin, works in the Arkansas Arts Center Foundation, with Yvonne Korshak, Joseph Stella, Shining Eyes, Cruel Fortune: The Lives and Loves of Italian Renaissance Women Poets, and Zelotti's Epic Frescoes at Cataio, with Gernando Colombardo. Among her distinctions, she was designated as Cavalieri in the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy for contributions to Italian art and culture. Irma B. Jaffe was predeceased by her first husband, Donald Korshak and her second husband, Samuel Jaffe. Professor Jaffe is survived by her loving daughter, Yvonne; granddaughter, Karin and son-in-law, Robert.

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Published by New York Times on Jan. 5, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for IRMA JAFFE

Sponsored by David.

15 Entries

John FitzGibbon

April 27, 2023

I knew Irma Jaffe as my teacher of modern art history at Fordham University, Rose Hill, in the class of '68. It was always a pleasure to attend her informal classes which I remember as being in a small, comfortable room that held only about 9 or 10 students. At Fordham I was primarily occupied in the Mimes & Mummers under the direction of theater veteran Vaughn Deering. Mr. Deering was my mentor and with his direction I played a number of leading roles in Collins Auditorium. There was no theatre department at the time and very few people attended the performances, but we continued with our passion nonetheless. In that final year, I got to play
"Walker Vessels" in Le Roi Jones' THE SLAVE. A black man. Laurence Olivier had just played "Othello" in London so I thought nothing of playing a different race. I followed the news and television interviews of many black artists and activists at that time. I immersed myself in that culture and movement. I mentioned that I was to perform in this play to Dr. Jaffe and she expressed an interest to attend. I didn't think she actually would. But in a subsequent class with her, she expressed her appreciation of what I had wrought. I hadn't mentioned what role I was playing, and so she wasn't quite sure if that was actually me. And at that time, I had applied for a Fulbright Scholarship to study at LAMDA in London. I mentioned this to Dr. Jaffe. She said she knew the man who ran the Tate Museum in London and would put in a good word for me. That Spring I received my letter of award from London, and spent the next year abroad, first in Paris studying Mime with Decroux and then went to London on my Fulbright. One of four Americans to receive one in Acting. I have a feeling Dr. Jaffe did what she said she'd do; and so, it probably gave me an edge on getting the approval and invitation from the Fulbright Commission. It was a marvellous experience in so many ways. Recently I saw the name of Elise Jaffe as a donor on the PBS program NYC ARTS and tried to find out if she was related to Dr. Jaffe. And thereby find her, as I could not remember her first name. But in the search, her name surfaced in my mind. And so here I am. Please to have found her again; though saddened that I missed seeing her again before she passed. I would have enjoyed that. And would have taken pleasure in thanking her for her support at that time in my life; and very possibly making such a difference in the rest of my life as well. God Bless her!!!

Tom Leonardi

September 10, 2020

I was a student at Fordham of Dr. Jaffe’s in the spring of 1979. During the scheduling session Dr. Jaffe convinced me to enroll in her Modern Painting and Sculpture call even though it was a higher level course rather than the lower level freshman course I needed for an elective. When I arrived for my first day and discovered a class full of Art History majors I was really intimidated. In fact, after a few classes of proving my lack of art sensitivity, I tried to drop the class. Dr. Jaffe refused and I then felt compelled to tell her I thought modern art was garbage. At 19 years old somehow I thought that was an OK thing to say to a professor. Dr. Jaffe should have signed my add/drop form and sent me on my provincial way. She didn’t do that. In fact, she took time to explain why I should look at art through a different lens and after doing so, if I thought something “was garbage it most likely was”. What do you say to that? Although she should have then sent me on my way she was Not done with me. Dr. Jaffe then asked what I was majoring in and when I told her Business she said the following, “how can you major in business if you don’t know anything about the world“. Obviously my behavior gave that away. She told me I needed to study liberal arts and once I did that I could then study business. Four years later I graduated with a double major in Government and International Relations. I went on to a successful business career and eventually added an MBA. I have told this story many times over the years to emphasize to young people that you never know the impact you can have on someone’s life or they on you. Lastly, although I am not a sophisticated art follower, I do know its importance and am glad I live in a world that enables artists to express themselves. Thank you Dr. Jaffe. A small moment of your time and patience redirected on a path I didn’t know existed. Tom L. PS. I am the only person in my circle who knows the difference between a Monet and a Manet. It’s worth a few points every now and then.

Babette Babich

February 2, 2019

I was a student of Irma Jaffe's in the art history classes she taught at Stony Brook University. I found her wonderful and engaging, a presence in the world.

She was a good friend of Patrick Heelan's - who died a few years ago in Dublin, 1 February 2015.

I was privileged to publish one of her essays entitled "Virtue and Virtual Reality in John Trumbull's Pantheon" in a festschrift collection I put together in Pat Heelan's honor, a delight not least owing to the images she featured, illustating Trumbull, Bartoli, Giotto, and West. Glorious!

May her memory be a blessing always.

Elena Brescia

February 4, 2018

Irma Jaffe is one of the most remarkable women I have ever known and a source of inspiration to this day.

David Hedges

January 20, 2018

Irma loved helping others. Among her accomplishments (scholar, author, teacher) the one that stands out to me, above them all, was her devotion to the cause of providing assistance and encouragement to those who needed it. She organized a "Bread and Soup Undinner" in 1982 to raise money for and awareness of the famine in Rwanda and never stopped looking for ways to help young people fulfill their dreams. When I became a high school English teacher in Brooklyn, Irma was very excited that I'd be helping so many children. She gave me lots of ideas about how to bring art into the classroom. Not just to give the study of literature a new angle and more life, but to help students find what she called their "Es muss sein," the feeling of aliveness that we get when we do something true to ourselves and that we find out who we are when we feel that Es muss sein. Irma would live into her 102nd year, so she knew something quite unique about power of aliveness. For all her accomplishments, another stands out: she remained most humble. She was looking for cat food for Smokey Poo, her cat, under the sink in her house in Stony Brook. Patrick was giving a party for the philosophy department and Irma had just come in from teaching an evening graduate course in Art History. "I met your housekeeper," I told Patrick. "Who? Oh, no, you met." and then he told me who she was: Professor Jaffe: a professor and scholar and author. But, there was something unforgettably humble and childlike and playful in that smile! Who would think that here, bending over to get cat food from under the sink was one of the world's most distinguished and accomplished scholars? And she insisted I not call her Professor Jaffe or Dr. Jaffe. "I think you're old enough to call me Irma, don't you?" That October evening in 1980 is always one of my favorite moments. Thank you Irma.

Joan Mazzonelli

January 13, 2018

I was a student of Dr. Jaffe many years ago at Fordham. I remember her vividly as a probing teacher and meticulous scholar and I honor her long life so well and fully lived. I have such good memories of my time at Fordham under her tutelage. My condolences to her family.

January 9, 2018

Dr Jaffe was an extraordinary and dynamic scholar and a portrait of true elegance. I had the opportunity to hear her lecture and visited her home. Her every manner was gracious and grand. I value and treasure the experience of knowing her. May she rest in eternal peace. All love surround you.
M.E James

"Undinner" to help victims of famine in Rwanda in 1982

David Hedges

January 9, 2018

Thomas Maier

January 8, 2018

Professor Jaffe was a wonderful coordinator of Fordham's Honors Program. She arranged for us to go the opera, Broadway, and museums -- to discover all the riches of New York. For one of my writing projects, she suggested the Abraham Lincoln Brigade and even suggested someone to interview. Professor Irma Jaffe was one of the true jewels of Fordham's faculty and it was an honor to be among her students.

Leslie Kandell

January 7, 2018

Yvonne, how wonderful to have had such a distinguished mother, for so long. I think back on your friendly relationship, and her photo recalls the gracious hostess at 880 Fifth Av. ("Not 875!") You were one of our class princesses--I will always remember your lucid drawing of the structure of Herodotus--and you both had reason to be proud of each other.
Sincere condolences. We look forward to seeing you
Leslie Kandell

Christine Isabelle Oaklander

January 7, 2018

Dr. Jaffe was a woman of brilliance and elegance. She made major contributions to our field of American Art history as well as being encouraging, inclusive, and approachable. A pioneering woman in the field, I always delighted in seeing what elegant outfit she had chosen to wear on a given occasion. A wonderful inspiration to me.

H. George Fletcher

January 6, 2018

Irma, the classic and classy mulier fortis, was a joy to know and to experience in her many accomplishments. Our condolences to Yvonne and Bob. George and Florence Fletcher

Pilar

January 5, 2018

My most sincere condolences to the whole family, that God left you the comfort you need for the scriptures since he is the God who provides comfort and endurance (Romans 15: 5)

Gregory McLane

January 5, 2018

One of the most interesting women I have ever met. It was a privilege to know her and to be part of her family.

Martha Fleischman

January 5, 2018

A devoted teacher, scholar and fine art historian, also a distinguished member of the board of The American Art Journal for many years. My condolences to Irma's family, friends and many Fordham students from years past.

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