Biography

John Scott specializes in the art history of Latin America. He also taught arts of early civilizations in the Old World, and continues to organize courses at the Institute for Learning in Retirement at Oak Hammock following his retirement from the University of Florida in 2006. His textbook, "Latin American Art: Ancient and Modern" was published by the University Press of Florida in 1999. 

Dr. Scott received his doctorate from Columbia University in 1971, having specialized in the Pre-Columbian art of Mesoamerica. He continues researching the stone sculpture of Mexico and Guatemala. He has also written on the art of Ecuador and presented papers at the International Congresses of Americanists in Quito and in Santiago de Chile, both of which have been published; the art of Colombia, on which he received a Fulbright scholar/lecturer grant in 1996; and Taino art of the West Indies, enhanced by a semester as an exchange professor at a private university in Santo Domingo. He authenticates Pre-Columbian works of art from throughout the Western hemisphere. In 2008 he  co-authored "A New World," an extensive catalog of the Carroll collection donated to the Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University and published by them.

Besides his textbook, he has authored "Before Cortes: Sculpture of Middle America" with Elizabeth Easby, published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art; "The Danzantes of Monte Alban" published by Dumbarton Oaks, Washington; "Art of the Taino from the Dominican Republic" published by the University Gallery at the University of Florida; "Ancient Mesoamerica", published by the University Press of Florida; and "Mexican, Central and South American Art", part of the International Encyclopedia of Art published by Facts on File. In addition he has written numerous chapters, articles, and book reviews, has curated exhibitions of art from ancient America and African cultures, and has presented lectures to both scholarly groups and interested amateurs around the world.