Michael T. Richman, PhD (1943–2025)

Michael Tingley Richman, PhD (1943–2025)

Michael Richman was a man of profound intellectual generosity. For the past five years, his guidance and friendship have been an invaluable source of inspiration to me. He was the foremost authority on Daniel Chester French, and I had the privilege of learning from him as I navigated the painstaking process of researching a documentary about the sculptor’s life. Michael, alongside his good friend Daniel Preston, not only provided essential historical insight but also illuminated the hidden beauty of French’s original maquettes—works often overlooked but deeply significant in understanding the sculptor’s creative process.

Michael’s devotion to French was not merely academic; it was deeply personal. He revered Chesterwood, the artist’s home and studio, and he deserved to be recognized as one of its most important custodians. That he was not—despite his lifetime of scholarship—caused him a pain greater than many could imagine. But his love for French and his work never wavered.

His passing leaves a profound void, not only for those who loved him but for the field of art history. His knowledge, his passion, and his generosity of spirit will be missed by all who had the privilege to know him. I will always carry his name in my memory, grateful for the wisdom he shared and the friendship he so freely gave. Rest in peace, Michael Richman.

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